Idaho Senate considers and advances several gubernatorial appointments; most committee reports adopted

The Idaho Senate on Jan. 29, 2025, considered a series of gubernatorial appointments and adopted committee reports recommending confirmation for multiple nominees, including members of the Commission of Pardons and Parole, the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, the Idaho Water Resource Board and the Idaho State Building Authority. One appointment listed for final consideration did not have a recorded final vote in the transcript.

Senators debated nominees’ qualifications before taking up committee reports. Senator Wintrow described Christine Starr, the governor’s nominee for executive director of the Commission of Pardons and Parole, as having “a deep passion for public safety and public service” and said Starr had “more than 20 years experience” in prosecution, defense and corrections work. Senator Galloway urged support for Mary Martin’s appointment to the Parole Commission, noting Martin “has spent the last 27 years working as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

Other confirmations recorded as adopted by voice vote included Craig Hill’s reappointment to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, which Senators said brings local knowledge of Priest Lake and water issues, and Mark Gibbs’ appointment to the Idaho Water Resource Board; Senator Harris summarized Gibbs’ qualifications simply: “He knows water.” The Senate also adopted committee reports for Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan as adjutant general of the Idaho Military Division and for Dale Macomber to the Idaho State Building Authority.

Votes at a glance

- Christine Starr — gubernatorial appointment as executive director, Commission of Pardons and Parole. Motion: “I move that the senate adopt the committee report.” Mover: Senator Bintreau. Second: Senator Woodward. Outcome: final vote not recorded in the available transcript; committee had recommended confirmation. Note: transcript shows debate opened and closed but no explicit recorded adoption or voice vote.

- Mary Martin — appointment to the Commission of Pardons and Parole; committee recommended confirmation; the Senate adopted the committee report by voice vote (“the ayes have it”).

- Craig Hill — reappointment to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, term to expire July 24, 2027; committee report adopted by voice vote.

- Mark Gibbs — appointment to the Idaho Water Resource Board, term to expire Jan. 1, 2029; committee report adopted by voice vote.

- Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan — appointment as adjutant general of the Idaho Military Division; committee report adopted by voice vote.

- Dale Macomber — appointment to the Idaho State Building Authority, term to expire Jan. 1, 2030; committee report adopted by voice vote.

What senators said and why it mattered

Senator Wintrow stressed Starr’s courtroom and corrections experience and told colleagues that Starr emphasized people “aren’t the sum of their crimes or the worst decision they ever made.” Several senators described Mary Martin’s long FBI career and child-protection experience as the basis for her fit on the Parole Commission. Supporters of water- and natural-resources nominees highlighted local knowledge and years of service managing water systems and commissions.

Procedure and next steps

Committee reports recommending confirmation were filed in the secretary’s office and the governor will be notified of adopted reports. For the one appointment with no recorded final vote in the transcript, the committee recommendation was on the floor but the transcript does not show the result of a final recorded vote.

Ending note

The confirmations came as part of a wider Jan. 29 Senate agenda that also included bill referrals and committee reports across health, education, judiciary and resources committees.