Senate Health and Welfare committee forwards two reappointments, hears one nominee’s testimony

The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Jan. 24 voted to send two gubernatorial reappointments to the full Senate with recommendations for confirmation and heard from a third nominee to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The committee approved the reappointment of Alan Schneider and, after a brief procedural confusion over a missing second, advanced the gubernatorial reappointment of Dr. Timothy Rerich to the Senate floor with a recommendation that he be confirmed. The committee heard testimony from Mark Watkins, a reappointment nominee to the commission, and recorded that his confirmation vote will occur at the committee’s next meeting.

The actions matter because the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired advises the state on services and programs for Idahoans with visual impairments, and the State Board of Health and Welfare oversees policies for Idaho’s largest social services agency. By forwarding these nominees with recommendations, the committee cleared the way for full-Senate consideration.

Senators moved and approved the reappointment of Alan Schneider to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired by voice vote. "It's been moved by Senator Wintrow, seconded by Senator Blaylock to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Alan Schneider to the Senate floor with a recommendation that he be confirmed," the chair announced before members voted "Aye." The committee record shows Schneider’s reappointment was forwarded without further discussion recorded in the transcript.

The committee then considered the gubernatorial reappointment of Dr. Timothy Rerich to the State Board of Health and Welfare. Senator Blaylock offered a motion to send the nomination to the floor with a recommendation that Rerich be confirmed. The motion initially failed for lack of a second; the committee later accepted a second and proceeded to a voice vote. The chair then called for the ayes and recorded the nomination as forwarded to the full Senate with the committee’s recommendation.

The committee took testimony from Mark Watkins, a professor at Brigham Young University–Idaho who identified himself as legally blind and a current member of the commission. Watkins described his personal experience using state vocational rehabilitation services and attending the assessment and training center in Boise during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. "They taught me was invaluable," Watkins said, describing a 12-week training that he said led to his initial involvement with the commission. He told senators he has attended quarterly board meetings for three years and said his lived experience with low vision and blindness informs his perspective on the board’s work.

Senator Bjerke asked Watkins to expand on opportunities he wished he had earlier in life; Watkins cited expanded access to low-vision aids, mobility and braille instruction, and education supports that he said are more available now than when he was a child. The committee recorded the hearing; the chair told Watkins the committee would vote on his reappointment at its next meeting.

Other formal actions taken on miscellaneous meeting business included approval of committee minutes for Jan. 22 and Jan. 23, 2025. Those motions were made, seconded and approved by voice vote earlier in the session.

The committee adjourned after completing the day’s agenda and scheduled another meeting the following day.