Idaho Senate confirms a slate of gubernatorial appointments and passes bill correcting unclaimed-property references

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on Feb. 5 confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions and passed Senate Bill 10-37, which legislators said corrects statutory references in state law governing unclaimed property.

The confirmations included appointments to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, the Board of Tax Appeals and other state bodies. Lawmakers adopted two Senate resolutions that approved administrative rules reviewed by committees and several bills were referred for printing or committee review.

Why this matters: The confirmations fill membership on boards that oversee natural resources, tax appeals, veteran and health services, and other state programs. Senate Bill 10-37, which passed on a recorded roll-call vote, makes technical corrections staff said are needed so Idaho code aligns with the state—s Unclaimed Property Act.

Senators described or introduced each nominee before formal confirmation votes. Senator Woodward described Linda Mitchell, the nominee to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, as a long-standing Sandpoint business owner and commission member, and said, "Linda Mitchell understands our community and she understands those challenges. I ask for your support in confirming this appointment." The Senate adopted the committee report for Mitchell; paperwork will be filed and the governor notified.

The Commerce and Human Resources Committee—s report on Tara Malek—s appointment to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board was adopted after Senator Semelroth said Malek "was very proud" that Idaho has "the lowest cost state based exchange network in the nation," and that Malek had advocated for consumers in committee. The committee recommended confirmation; the Senate adopted the report.

The Health and Welfare Committee recommended reappointment of BJ Stinger to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Senator Rudnicki recounted Stinger—s family history with visual impairment and his work using services offered by the commission, and the Senate adopted the committee report.

Senator Hart presented Trevor Sparrow for confirmation as a health and social services ombudsman, describing Sparrow—s background in juvenile probation, corrections, counseling and as mayor of Pierce and saying, "I visited the facility. It was very impressive what they're doing with our at-risk youth." The Senate adopted the committee report.

Other confirmations and referrals: The Senate adopted committee reports or referred appointments to committee for the following (term expiration dates where provided in committee reports are included): - Linda Mitchell, Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission (term to expire 07/24/2027) — confirmed. - Tara Malek, Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board (term to expire 04/10/2028) — confirmed. - BJ Stinger, Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (term to expire 07/01/2027) — confirmed. - Trevor Sparrow, Health and Social Services ombudsman (term to continue at governor's pleasure) — confirmed. - Lee Henrich (transcript: Lee Heinrich), Board of Tax Appeals (term to expire 06/30/2027) — confirmed. - Joseph Forney, Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board (term to expire 04/11/2027) — confirmed. - Ronald Davies, Idaho Fish and Game Commission (term to expire 06/30/2028) — confirmed.

The Senate also received gubernatorial notices that Eric Olson (State Soil and Water Conservation Commission) and Mike Matthews (Commission on Pardons and Parole) were reappointed; those appointments were referred to Agricultural Affairs and Judiciary & Rules committees, respectively.

Rules and resolutions: The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 102, which reported the Local Government and Taxation Committee had reviewed and approved temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Tax Commission, and adopted Senate Resolution 103, reporting the Transportation Committee had reviewed and approved pending rules of the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho State Tax Commission. Senators approved both resolutions by voice vote.

Passage of Senate Bill 10-37: The Senate placed Senate Bill 10-37 (listed by the clerk as being from the State Affairs Committee and whose caption first referenced veterans and succession to property) on final consideration. Senator Forman told colleagues the measure "deals with two simple ministerial changes to 66-906 of Idaho Code" to correct an incorrect statutory cross-reference. Specifically, the bill corrects an erroneous reference to section 14-5-13 and changes it to section 14-5-201(1)(i), and removes struck language that committee staff and the Idaho Treasurer—s Office said conflicted with the revised Unclaimed Property Act. After debate was closed, the Senate called the roll and the vote count showed 35 in favor, none opposed; Senate Bill 10-37 passed and will be transmitted to the House.

Other business: The clerk read several bills on first reading and referred them for printing or committee assignment, including measures on electronic payment transaction fees, occupational-license attorneys as nonclassified employees, child tax credit provisions, and amendments to the Idaho Safe Haven Act and provisions referencing the Indian Child Welfare Act; those bills were referred to the Judiciary & Rules Committee for printing or to other committees as noted. A number of gubernatorial appointments were held on the calendar for one legislative day, per senators' unanimous-consent requests.

The session adjourned with routine scheduling announcements; the Senate will reconvene as scheduled. Paperwork for confirmed appointments will be filed in the secretary's office and the governor notified as usual.