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Senate Agriculture Committee introduces page, schedules rules review
Summary
Chair Sen. Tammy Nichols opened an organizational meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced Senate page Gage Griffin and asked members to review a 2024 Department of Agriculture performance report and strategic plan; Vice Chair Christy Zito will lead a rules review at the committee's next meeting.
The Idaho Senate Agriculture Committee held an organizational session during which Chair Sen. Tammy Nichols introduced the committee's Senate page, Gage Griffin, and asked members to review a 2024 Department of Agriculture performance report and the department's strategic plan before the committee's rules review meeting on Thursday, which Vice Chair Sen. Christy Zito will lead.
Nichols said the committee should “elevate in its own essence and ... become something that really makes a difference” for state agriculture, calling the sector “vital and critical.” The chair identified Rachel as the committee secretary and asked members to use microphones or wave to get her attention during hearings.
Gage Griffin, introduced as the Senate page assigned to the agriculture committee, told members he attends Emmett High School and will graduate with the class of 2025. Griffin described himself as “a fan of cars” and said he restores an older BMW; he also said he runs a clothing brand focused on suicide prevention and mental-health awareness. Vice Chair Christy Zito, who identified herself as serving on the board of Bridging the Gap, a Mountain Home suicide-prevention organization, offered to speak with Griffin about his prevention work.
Committee members gave brief personal introductions and described their ties to agriculture. Senators who spoke about their districts and backgrounds included Ron Taylor (District 26), Carrie Semmelroth (District 17), Julie VanOrden (District 30), Christy Zito (District 8), Josh Cole (District 25), Todd Lakey (District 23), Camille Blaylock (District 11) and Dave Lent. Several members described rural, production and family-farm experience in their districts.
Nichols said committee members’ meeting packets include the Department of Agriculture’s 2024 performance report and the department strategic plan and asked members to review those materials. She announced the committee will begin its rules review on Thursday and said Zito will provide more information then. No formal motions, votes or policy decisions were recorded during the session.
The committee adjourned after the introductions and housekeeping; Nichols closed by reminding members of the upcoming rules review meeting on Thursday.
