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Idaho Senate confirms a series of gubernatorial appointments and advances several bills on first reading
Summary
On Jan. 27, 2025, the Idaho Senate adopted committee reports confirming multiple gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions and advanced a set of bills to committee or next reading; confirmations were handled mostly by voice vote and included terms and agency assignments recorded on the floor.
BOISE, Idaho — During its Jan. 27 floor session the Idaho Senate adopted committee reports that confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions, and it advanced bills on first reading to committee calendars.
Confirmed appointments included George Lynch to the Idaho Energy Resources Authority (term to Jan. 30, 2029), Patricia (Patty) Perkins to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board (term to July 1, 2028), Luke Malek to the State Board of Correction (term expiration in the transcript stated as Jan. 30, 2001 — recorded on the floor and shown as in the committee report), Lisa Paulos to the Public Charter School Commission (term to May 12, 2028), Sean Keogh to the State Board of Education (term to July 1, 2029), Wallace (Wally) Hedrick to the Public Charter School Commission (term to May 12, 2027), Dennis Leekham to the Board of Environmental Quality (term to July 1, 2028), and Matthew Woodington to the Idaho State Racing Commission (term to Jan. 15, 2030). The committee reports recommending confirmation were read on the floor and, after brief remarks, the Senate adopted the reports and the secretary was instructed to notify the governor.
Committee chairs presented the committee reports on the floor. Senator Guthrie, chair of the State Affairs Committee, presented several State Affairs reports, including the George Lynch appointment. Senator Lakey (Judiciary and Rules Committee) and Senator Lehi (Education Committee) likewise were identified in committee report language related to bills and appointments. Senators who moved adoption and opened debate on individual confirmations included Senator Semaroff (motion to adopt the George Lynch committee report), Senator Ravi (motion to adopt the Patricia Perkins committee report) and others; in each listed confirmation debate was brief and supporters described nominees’ qualifications and experience.
Floor remarks summarized nominees’ qualifications and local ties. For example, supporters said George Lynch’s experience includes work in transmission policy and prior federal and state roles relevant to energy policy and financing; supporters described the Idaho Energy Resources Authority as providing low-interest financing to municipalities with no taxpayer obligation. Supporters of Patricia Perkins noted her role as director of the Department of Finance and her prior banking and HR career; supporters of Lisa Paulos highlighted experience in communications and nonprofit volunteer service; supporters of Dennis Leekham noted degrees, professional geologist registration and private-sector experience relevant to environmental permitting and operations.
On procedural matters, the Senate referred Senate Bill 1026 to the Agriculture Affairs Committee for additional consideration and placed House Bill 14 on the second-reading calendar after a committee recommendation. The Senate also approved a motion to read all bills on first reading by number, author and title only. Senate Bill 1027 was read on first reading and referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.
Ending: Senate business concluded with adjournment until 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025; paperwork for confirmed appointments was to be filed in the office of the secretary and the governor notified.
