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Idaho Senate confirms six gubernatorial appointees and refers several bills to committees
Summary
On Jan. 29, 2025, the Idaho Senate adopted committee reports confirming six gubernatorial appointments affecting parole and pardons, water resources, the state military division and the state building authority, and ordered multiple bills to committee for printing and referral.
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on Jan. 29, 2025, voted to adopt committee reports confirming six gubernatorial appointments and advanced a set of newly introduced bills to committee for printing and referral.
The confirmations, carried by voice votes in each case, place officials in posts that will touch state parole and pardons policy, water resource management in northern Idaho, leadership of the Idaho Military Division and oversight of state building projects. Senators also introduced and referred several bills, including measures on foster care, congregate care, a moratorium on certain human gene therapy uses, and immigration enforcement provisions.
The confirmations were presented as committee reports and approved on the Senate floor. Senator Bintreau moved the committee report for Christine Starr; Senator Wintrow spoke in Starr’s support, saying Starr brings “a deep, multifaceted understanding of the criminal justice system” and praised her breadth of experience in prosecution, defense and corrections. The committee report was adopted by voice vote; the journal records “the ayes have it.”
Senator Galloway presented Mary Martin’s nomination to the Commission of Pardons and Parole, noting Martin’s 27 years as an FBI special agent and extensive work on crimes against children. Galloway reported that, when asked what motivated her to stay in the career, “without hesitation, she replied, ‘public safety,’” and the Senate adopted the committee report by voice vote.
Senator Woodward introduced the reappointment of Craig Hill to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, calling Hill “a lifelong Idahoan” with family ties to Priest Lake and experience on lake issues, including dam gate and water-adjudication matters. The committee report recommending confirmation was adopted by voice vote.
Senator Harris presented Mark Gibbs for the Idaho Water Resource Board, summarizing his 14 years of legislative service, long experience with canal companies and water-user associations, and prior service on the Bear River Commission. Harris said Gibbs’s background in water and agriculture made him well suited for the board; the committee report was adopted by voice vote.
The Senate adopted the State Affairs Committee report recommending Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan as Adjutant General of the Idaho Military Division after committee presentation; the report noted Donnellan’s 32 years of military service and prior command experience. The report was adopted by voice vote.
The Senate also approved the committee report recommending Dale Macomber’s appointment to the Idaho State Building Authority. Senators noted Macomber’s long construction-industry career and asked colleagues to support confirmation. The report was adopted by voice vote and filed with the secretary.
On legislation, the Senate read and ordered several bills for printing and referral. The Health and Welfare Committee’s bills relating to foster-home safety (Senate Bill 1034) and congregate care placements (Senate Bill 1035), and a proposed moratorium on certain human gene therapy uses (Senate Bill 1036), were introduced and referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. State Affairs Committee measures including a proposal related to veterans’ succession to property (Senate Bill 1037), a measure asserting the state shall not be compelled to enforce World Health Organization mandates (Senate Bill 1038), and an immigration enforcement package (Senate Bill 1039) were likewise introduced and referred for printing. House Bill 41, addressing flag and banner display rules in public schools, was referred to the Senate Education Committee.
Votes at a glance
- Christine Starr — Executive Director, Commission of Pardons and Parole: committee report adopted by voice vote (motion moved by Senator Bintreau). Outcome: confirmed (journal: “the ayes have it”).
- Mary Martin — Commission of Pardons and Parole: committee report adopted by voice vote (presented by Senator Galloway). Outcome: confirmed.
- Craig Hill — Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission (reappointment): committee report adopted by voice vote (presented by Senator Woodward). Outcome: confirmed.
- Mark Gibbs — Idaho Water Resource Board: committee report adopted by voice vote (presented by Senator Harris). Outcome: confirmed.
- Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan — Adjutant General, Idaho Military Division: committee report adopted by voice vote (State Affairs Committee). Outcome: confirmed.
- Dale Macomber — Idaho State Building Authority: committee report adopted by voice vote (State Affairs Committee). Outcome: confirmed.
- Bills introduced and referred: Senate Bills 1034–1036 (Health and Welfare) and 1037–1039 (State Affairs) referred to Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing; House Bill 41 referred to Senate Education Committee.
The Senate adjourned to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
