Parole commission director explains rules changes tied to 2024 law; two nominees introduced

Christine Starr, executive director of the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole, told the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee that a pending rule change aligns the commission’s pardon-application timeframe with statutory changes enacted by the 2024 Legislature and that the commission faces staffing and workload challenges.

The committee approved docket number 5001012401 — rules for the Commission of Pardons and Parole — by motion and voice vote. The rulemaking updates a provision to add felony domestic violence (statute referenced in the record as section 18-918) and attempted strangulation to the list of offenses subject to a 15-year waiting period before a person may apply for a pardon, reflecting statutory changes enacted in House Bill 600 (2024). Starr said the rule clarifies the time frame in light of the Idaho Supreme Court decision in Winkler (2020), which the commission cited as limiting the use of pardoned cases for penalty enhancement.

Why it matters: The rule change sets an explicit waiting period for pardons on certain domestic-violence-related offenses, affecting when people convicted of those crimes can formally seek a pardon. Starr also described operational constraints within the commission that could affect case processing and public transparency.

Starr’s presentation and concerns: Christine Starr identified herself as the commission’s executive director and described a background in both prosecution and defense work. She told senators the commission hears thousands of cases a year and that much of the commission’s work occurs in executive session, which can create perceptions of secrecy. ‘‘We are going to lose more than half of our commission,’’ Starr said, describing a looming turnover and noting commissioners are paid only for hearing time and not for extensive reading and preparation. Starr said commissioners heard more than 6,000 cases last year and that the calendar may list 23 cases a day with ‘‘40 pages of reading material’’ attached to some cases.

Committee action and nominations: The committee accepted the pending rule docket on a motion from Senator Foreman, seconded by Chairman Lakey, and approved it by voice vote. Christine Starr and Mary Martin were introduced to the committee as gubernatorial appointees to the commission; both said votes on their confirmations will be taken at a subsequent meeting. Mary Martin described a long career with the FBI, work on crimes against children, and said she approached the commission role mindful of public safety and victims.

What the rule does: According to Starr, the rule changes add felony domestic violence (noted in the record as section 18-918) and attempted strangulation to the list of offenses that require at least a 15-year waiting period before a pardon application will be considered, aligning commission practice with House Bill 600 (2024) and the court’s Winkler decision.

Procedural note: The committee accepted the docket by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the committee transcript. The committee indicated it will take up gubernatorial appointment votes at a future meeting.

The committee did not take a confirmation vote on Christine Starr or Mary Martin during the meeting; both nominees were present and answered senators’ questions about their experience and approach to the commission’s work.