Judiciary committee forwards three gubernatorial corrections appointments to full Senate

The Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee on Thursday voted to send three gubernatorial appointments related to corrections and offender supervision to the full Senate with recommendations that the nominees be confirmed.

Senator Wintrow moved to forward the appointment of Ashley Dowell as director of the Department of Juvenile Corrections with a recommendation for confirmation; Senator Ricks seconded the motion. The committee voted by voice and the motion carried, with the chair saying the appointment would be sent to the floor with a recommendation that she be confirmed.

The committee next considered the appointment of Corey Barrier to the Offender Management Board. Senator Wintrow moved to forward the nomination with a recommendation that Barrier be confirmed; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

For the State Board of Correction appointment of Luke Malek, Senator Ricks moved to forward the nomination with a recommendation of confirmation; Senator Lent seconded. Senator Lenny announced on the record that she would cast a no vote because she generally opposes gubernatorial appointments of lobbyists. The motion nevertheless passed on a voice vote and the appointment will be sent to the floor with a recommendation that Malek be confirmed; the committee noted that any requested recording of individual votes would be handled separately.

The committee chair opened each item for a motion and limited discussion before asking for a voice vote. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the committee transcript for these items.

Votes at a glance

- Ashley Dowell — Nomination as Director, Department of Juvenile Corrections. Motion to send to the floor with recommendation for confirmation (mover: Senator Wintrow; second: Senator Ricks). Outcome: Motion carries; forwarded with recommendation for confirmation.

- Corey Barrier — Nomination to the Offender Management Board. Motion to send to the floor with recommendation for confirmation (mover: Senator Wintrow; second: Senator Rekdi). Outcome: Motion carries; forwarded with recommendation for confirmation.

- Luke Malek — Nomination to the State Board of Correction. Motion to send to the floor with recommendation for confirmation (mover: Senator Ricks; second: Senator Lent). Outcome: Motion carries; Senator Lenny recorded a stated intention to vote no; forwarded with recommendation for confirmation.

The committee did not take roll-call votes on these items; the transcript records voice approvals and brief recorded statements from senators about their positions.