Senate State Affairs advances multiple gubernatorial appointments, sends four RS bills to print

The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee considered a slate of gubernatorial appointments and moved several matters toward floor consideration while sending four proposed pieces of legislation to print.

Major General Timothy J. Donlin, nominated by Gov. Brad Little to be the state’s Adjutant General and head of the Idaho Military Division, told the committee he would “never relent” in ensuring the Idaho National Guard remains an “elite and ready war fighting force.” Donlin, who described 32 years of service, five combat deployments and more than a decade of command experience, said he would prioritize training and legal collaboration across state agencies if confirmed.

The committee also heard from Scott Madison, the governor’s pick for the Idaho Energy Resource Authority, who described growing electric demand in the region and potential future work on financing generation for public-sector utilities. Madison said he believes in “the free market” for determining which generation resources should be built and urged evaluating life‑cycle economic and environmental costs when comparing options such as renewables, natural gas and small modular nuclear plants.

Other appointees who introduced themselves included Thomas Mello for the State Building Authority, Patty (Patricia) Perkins for reappointment to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board, and Andrew…