Idaho Senate confirms multiple gubernatorial appointments to state boards and authorities

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on Jan. 23 adopted committee reports confirming several gubernatorial appointments to state boards and authorities, approving a mix of reappointments and new nominees across natural-resources, insurance, energy and corrections posts.

The confirmations were handled by voice votes after brief floor debate. Senators who spoke in support cited local knowledge, industry experience and prior public service as reasons to confirm the nominees.

Sen. Sarah Hart (who moved adoption of the committee report on Brent Baker) recommended reappointing Brent Baker to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission. “Mister Baker has been on the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission since 02/2003,” Hart said, noting Baker’s volunteer roles, long-term property ownership on Lake Pend Oreille and experience with local economic development. The Senate adopted the committee report confirming Baker’s appointment to a term expiring July 24, 2026.

Senators also confirmed Mark Brinkmeyer to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission. Sen. O'Conowitz described Brinkmeyer as “first and foremost a conservationist” with forestry-industry experience and local ties, and the Senate adopted the committee report confirming his term through July 24, 2026.

The Senate approved the reappointment of Steve Landon to the State Insurance Fund Board, a body that provides workers’ compensation insurance for Idaho employers. Sen. Ruttke said Landon “has more than 40 years of experience in labor leadership,” and the Senate adopted the committee report confirming Landon to a term expiring May 1, 2028.

Scott Madison was confirmed to the Idaho Energy Resources Authority. Sen. Ward Engelking described Madison’s background in accounting and energy-sector leadership, noting his role at Intermountain Gas Company and service on industry and university boards. The committee report states Madison’s term expires June 30, 2029; the Senate adopted the report.

Andrew Arulanandam was confirmed separately to two executive posts the governor nominated: director of the Idaho Lottery Commission (term to continue at the governor’s pleasure) and director of the State Liquor Division (term to continue at the governor’s pleasure). Senators noted Arulanandam’s past party and policy work; Sen. Adams said Arulanandam “has a firm understanding of the constitutional intent of temperance” and that he had been assured there would be “no mixing of alcohol and firearms.” Both committee reports were adopted on voice votes.

The Senate also confirmed Ashley Dowell as director of the Department of Juvenile Corrections after the Judiciary and Rules Committee recommended confirmation. Sen. Lakey, who opened debate on Dowell’s nomination, recounted Dowell’s supervisory and correctional experience and described her as “a very, personable and professional individual.” The committee report recommends confirmation to a term that continues at the governor’s pleasure; the Senate adopted the report.

Several other gubernatorial appointments were reported to the Senate and then referred or held for further consideration. Committee reports recommending confirmation of Christine Starr and Mary Martin (appointments to the Commission of Pardons and Parole), and of Craig Hill, Dean Stevenson, Linda Mitchell and Mark Gibbs (appointments to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission and Idaho Water Resource Board) were referred to the tenth order of business and held for one legislative day. The Senate also ordered the appointment for Patricia Perkins to hold its place on the tenth order for one legislative day.

No roll-call tallies were recorded on the floor for the confirmations; the clerk recorded the committee reports as adopted and indicated paperwork would be filed and the governor notified of the Senate’s actions.

Votes at a glance

- Brent Baker — Reappointment, Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission; term to 07/24/2026; motion to adopt committee report moved by Sen. Sarah Hart; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Mark Brinkmeyer — Appointment, Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission; term to 07/24/2026; motion moved by Sen. O'Conowitz; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Steve Landon — Reappointment, State Insurance Fund Board; term to 05/01/2028; motion moved by Sen. Ruttke; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Scott Madison — Appointment, Idaho Energy Resources Authority; term to 06/30/2029; motion moved by Sen. Ward Engelking; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Andrew Arulanandam — Appointment, Idaho Lottery Commission; term to continue at governor’s pleasure; motion moved by Sen. Ruttke; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Andrew Arulanandam — Appointment, State Liquor Division; term to continue at governor’s pleasure; motion moved by Sen. Adams; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Ashley Dowell — Appointment, Director, Department of Juvenile Corrections; term to continue at governor’s pleasure; motion moved by Sen. Lakey; outcome: adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).

Referred / held for 1 legislative day

- Christine Starr — appointment to Commission of Pardons and Parole; referred to tenth order and held for 1 legislative day (report read 01/22/2025).

- Mary Martin — appointment to Commission of Pardons and Parole; referred to tenth order and held for 1 legislative day (report read 01/22/2025).

- Craig Hill — appointment to Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission; referred to tenth order and held for 1 legislative day.

- Dean Stevenson — appointment to Idaho Water Resource Board; referred to tenth order and held for 1 legislative day.

- Linda Mitchell — appointment to Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission; referred to tenth order and held for 1 legislative day.

- Mark Gibbs — appointment to Idaho Water Resource Board; referred to tenth order and held for 1 legislative day.

What this means

Confirmed nominees will assume the duties spelled out by their respective boards and authorities; several confirmations fill advisory or oversight roles affecting water resources, energy and insurance policy in Idaho. Where the Senate held or deferred committee reports, the nominations will return to the docket for further consideration on the schedule the Senate established.

Reporting note: Floor debate was handled by voice votes and short statements in support; the Senate’s clerk indicated the adopted reports would be filed in the office of the secretary and the governor notified.