Senate Fish and Game Committee approves proxy voting, sets amendment and staffing guidance

The Senate Fish and Game Committee authorized the use of proxy votes and received staff guidance on preparing amendments, a safety briefing from the sergeant at arms and logistics for a joint session with Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Sen. Loege, chair of the Senate Fish and Game Committee, presided as the committee voted to allow proxies by voice vote. The committee’s secretary provided proxy forms; the chair said proxies will be held by the vice chairs for use as needed.

The authorization matters because it formalizes how absent senators can participate in committee votes and clarifies the committee’s administrative process ahead of scheduled hearings. Committee staff also described how to submit amendments and recommended avoiding in‑meeting conceptual amendments that staff cannot fully research.

Casey Pallister, research analyst with the Legislative Services Division, told the committee, “amendments that we receive as staff have to be requested by a legislator. We cannot draft amendments that are, from other people, lobbyists, or or the other folks without your signature on an amendment or a signed note.” Pallister also said staff prefers 24 hours’ notice to draft and check amendments and asked members to avoid approving conceptual amendments during the same meeting when possible.

Tiffany Olsen, the committee secretary, identified herself as serving both Fish and Game and Natural Resources for the session and said proxy forms were available for senators to sign. Members discussed how a proxy form may be checked to apply to all votes or to specific votes or amendments; the chair noted the committee would accept the more general option to keep the process simple.

Bruce Holmes, a member of the Senate sergeant-at-arms staff, gave a brief safety and egress overview, saying, “If there's an incident, it's my job to lead you to safety. And in this case, in this room, you would go out the door to the right or right again.” Rolf Johnson, the remote meeting coordinator, said he will facilitate Zoom testimony and promote remote presenters when needed.

Committee members also discussed minor administrative items: a small snack fund (an envelope marked a one-time $50 contribution was mentioned and there was a separate explanation that a $1.50 per-senator contribution process may be used systemwide), and collection of senators’ preferred contact information for committee use. The committee was told it will reconvene downstairs in room 172 with Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff and Director Amanda Caster for an informational joint session at about 3:30; the chair said two bills are scheduled for a Thursday hearing.

The committee’s formal action on proxies was taken by motion and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The meeting was adjourned with plans to reconvene for the joint session.