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Committee advances one reappointment, declines second; virtual candidate for blind services to be voted tomorrow
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee recommended confirmation of Alan Schneider to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, did not advance Dr. Timothy Rerick’s reappointment to the State Board of Health and Welfare, and heard testimony from Mark Watkins, who will be considered at tomorrow’s meeting.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Alan Schneider to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to the Senate floor with a recommendation that he be confirmed. Senator Wintrow moved the recommendation and Senator Blaylock seconded; the chair called the voice vote and members responded "aye." The committee did not record any opposition in the transcript.
The committee considered the reappointment of Dr. Timothy Rerick to the State Board of Health and Welfare. Senator Blaylock moved that the appointment be sent to the floor with a recommendation for confirmation, but the motion "died for lack of a second" as recorded in the transcript and therefore was not advanced at that time.
Later in the meeting the committee met virtually with Mark Watkins, who is being considered for reappointment to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Watkins identified himself as a Rexburg resident and a professor in the music department at Brigham Young University–Idaho. He told the committee he has been legally blind his whole life and became totally blind about seven years ago. Watkins described attending a 12-week assessment and training center in Boise (through the state's vocational rehabilitation services) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and said that experience, and the state's programs for people with low vision and blindness, motivated him to serve on the commission.
Watkins said he has served on the commission for three years and described the programs he observed as "marvelous," adding that the training he received at the state center was "invaluable." He told the committee his experience as a working, blind university professor gives him perspective he believes is useful for the commission.
Committee members asked Watkins questions about his background and the roles he would fill on the commission. Senator Wintrow invited Watkins to describe why the appointment is a good fit; Watkins discussed low-vision aids, education services and vocational rehabilitation. Senator Bjerke asked for specifics about opportunities Watkins wished he had earlier in life; Watkins cited access to low-vision aids, braille instruction and orientation and mobility training as examples that are more available now than when he was a child.
The committee did not take a final vote on Watkins’ reappointment at this meeting; the chair said the panel will vote on his reappointment at the next meeting, scheduled for the following day.
Why it matters: The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired advises and helps oversee programs and services statewide for residents who are blind or have low vision. The State Board of Health and Welfare oversees the Department of Health and Welfare. Confirmation votes place citizen advisers and professional experts in roles that help shape services for vulnerable residents.
Next steps: Alan Schneider's reappointment is reported to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee did not advance Dr. Rerick's nomination. The committee will vote on Mark Watkins’ reappointment at its next meeting.
