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Senate committee approves gubernatorial reappointment referral and adopts Fish and Game rule; Liddiard’s confirmation deferred
Summary
The committee approved sending a gubernatorial reappointment for a Lake Pend Oreille Basin position to the Senate floor, adopted a Department of Fish and Game rule clarifying that state authorization does not substitute for federal take authorization, and heard a confirmation hearing for Courtney Liddiard that will be voted at a later meeting.
An Idaho Senate committee approved two formal items and heard a confirmation hearing during its session.
The committee voted to send a gubernatorial reappointment representing Priest River on the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Association to the full Senate for consideration. Committee members approved the reappointment by voice vote and the nomination will proceed to the Senate floor; the committee did not complete a roll-call tally in the hearing record.
The committee also approved a Department of Fish and Game rule — docket number 13-0107-2401 — clarifying that a commission or department authorization of an activity should not be interpreted as state authorization to take federally protected wildlife absent a federal take authorization. Jim Fredericks, director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, told the committee the rule clarifies that the department cannot relieve landowners or the state from federal endangered-species obligations. Senator Harris moved approval of the rule; Senator Cook seconded the motion, and the committee approved it by voice vote.
The committee heard a confirmation presentation from Courtney Liddiard, introduced himself and described private-sector experience including a recent CEO role and work in real estate and hospitality. Liddiard said he sought the post to "make a difference" and discussed applying private-sector management practices to the agency board. The committee did not vote on Liddiard's confirmation; committee leaders said the appointment will be voted at the next meeting before being sent to the Senate floor.
What the committee did not do
- No final confirmation vote was taken for Courtney Liddiard; the nominee answered questions from senators and will be considered at the committee's next meeting.
- The committee did not adopt any new Fish and Game policy beyond the clarified rule language; Director Fredericks offered to return for a fuller presentation at a later date.
Votes at a glance
- Gubernatorial reappointment (Priest River representative to Lake Pend Oreille Basin Association): motion to send to Senate floor — approved by voice vote (mover: committee member; second: Senator O'Connoritz). Specific tally not recorded in the hearing transcript.
- Fish and Game rule docket 13-0107-2401: motion to approve (mover: Senator Harris; second: Senator Cook) — approved by voice vote.
Next steps
The committee chair said the reappointment and the Liddiard confirmation will proceed toward the Senate floor only after the committee records the confirmation vote at its next meeting. Director Fredericks’ presentation on other Fish and Game matters was deferred to a future meeting at the committee’s request.
