Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Organization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate Agriculture Committee holds brief organizational meeting; rules review set for Thursday
Summary
Sen. Tammy Nichols convened a short organizational meeting of the Idaho Senate Agriculture Committee to introduce the committee page, hear member introductions and note that members received the Department of Agriculture'1024 performance report and strategic plan; a rules review will begin Thursday led by Vice Chair Christy Zito.
Sen. Tammy Nichols, chair of the Idaho Senate Agriculture Committee, convened a brief organizational meeting to introduce the committee's page, review membership and note upcoming procedural work. She told members the committee would begin a rules review on Thursday and urged them to review materials in their packets.
The meeting opened with an introduction of the committee's Senate page, Gage Griffin. Griffin, a student at Emmett High School, said he will graduate with the class of 2025 and described his interest in restoring classic cars and running a clothing brand focused on suicide-prevention and mental-health awareness. "I have an old BMW at my house that I've been restoring for the past couple of years," Griffin said. He also told senators his clothing line is selling locally while a website is under construction and that it can be found on Instagram under Cyanide Clothing LLC.
Sen. Nichols told the committee members to review two documents included in their packets: a 2024 performance report for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the department's strategic plan. "You have a 2024 performance report from for on Department of Agriculture and then also the strategic plan. So, just take those, review those, as you have some time," Nichols said. She said the rules review will begin Thursday and that Vice Chair Christy Zito will provide direction on how the committee will proceed.
Committee members briefly introduced themselves and their districts. Sen. Ron Taylor said he represents District 26, including Blaine, Lincoln and Jerome counties, and noted the district's agricultural base and tourism. Sen. Carrie Summelroth of District 17 described herself as an educator who "eats food" and represents the Boise Bench. Sen. Julie VanOrden, representing District 30 in southeast Idaho, noted production agriculture interests in Bingham and Butte counties, citing a fresh-pack potato warehouse and an irrigation-equipment company in her district. Sen. Christy Zito, vice chair, said she represents Legislative District 8 and described a lifelong involvement with farms and ranches. Sen. Josh Cole said he represents Twin Falls in District 25 and works in agricultural processing. Sen. Todd Lakey said this was his first assignment to the agriculture committee and described a family history in the grocery business. Sen. Camille Blaylock noted a small family-farm background in Caldwell and Canyon County. Sen. Dave Lent said he is from Idaho Falls and noted his FFA background.
Sen. Zito offered to follow up with Griffin about his suicide-prevention clothing work; she identified herself as a board member of Bridging the Gap, a Mountain Home suicide-prevention organization and suggested exchanging ideas. Griffin responded that he would appreciate the conversation.
No formal motions or votes were recorded at the meeting. The only items of committee business noted were the distribution of the department's 2024 performance report and strategic plan and scheduling the rules review session for Thursday, with Vice Chair Zito providing further information at that meeting.
The committee adjourned after the introductions and brief housekeeping remarks.
