Idaho Senate confirms multiple gubernatorial appointments, refers others to committees

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on Monday confirmed four of Gov. Brad Little’s gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions and recorded notices for two more appointments to be referred for committee consideration.

The confirmations were routine and largely uncontested. Senators described the appointees’ professional experience before adopting committee reports by voice vote.

The actions matter because these boards advise and decide on issues ranging from education policy and environmental regulation to tax appeals and offender management. Confirmed appointees will serve staggered terms on commissions that shape state policy and regulatory oversight.

Senators adopted the Education Committee’s recommendation to confirm Sherry Lynn Baer to the Public Charter School Commission. "This is a reappointment for her. She's served on the public charter school commission since 2016," said Senator Ben VanOrden, who moved adoption of the committee report. The Senate approved the report by voice vote.

The Health and Welfare Committee’s recommendation to confirm Elizabeth Elroy to the Board of Environmental Quality was also adopted. Tanner Byrne moved adoption and described Elroy’s background in environmental engineering and industry roles, noting she currently serves as vice president of global environmental health, safety and sustainability at Micron Technology. "I ask for your support in confirming Elizabeth Elroy to the board of environmental quality," Byrne said. The Senate adopted the committee report by voice vote.

The Judiciary and Rules Committee’s recommendation to confirm Janice Giesel to the Offender Management Board (committee transcript redaction noted as "****** Offender Management Board") was adopted after senators reviewed her résumé and qualifications. Senator Lanning moved adoption of the committee report; the motion carried by voice vote.

The Local Government and Taxation Committee’s recommendation to confirm Kenneth Noon to the Board of Tax Appeals was approved. Senator Foreman described Noon’s background as a certified general real estate appraiser, a University of Idaho faculty member and former U.S. Air Force instructor pilot, and asked for senators’ affirmative votes. The committee report was adopted by voice vote.

The body also received gubernatorial notices for two other appointments. The governor notified the Senate of Joshua Whitworth’s appointment as executive director of the Office of the State Board of Education; that notice was referred to the Education Committee for confirmation. Karen J. Sharpenack’s appointment to the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission was referred to the Agricultural Affairs Committee. The notices state the appointments are "subject to confirmation by the Senate." The Senate filed the appointment correspondence in the Office of the Secretary.

Votes at a glance

- Sherry Lynn Baer — Public Charter School Commission (term to expire 05/12/2028): committee report adopted by voice vote; outcome: confirmed. - Elizabeth Elroy — Board of Environmental Quality (term to expire 07/01/2028): committee report adopted by voice vote; outcome: confirmed. - Janice Giesel — Offender Management Board (term to expire 01/01/2028): committee report adopted by voice vote; outcome: confirmed. - Kenneth Noon — Board of Tax Appeals (term to expire 06/30/2026): committee report adopted by voice vote; outcome: confirmed. - Joshua Whitworth — Executive Director, Office of the State Board of Education (term commencing 06/18/2024): notice of appointment filed; referred to Education Committee for confirmation. - Karen J. Sharpenack — State Soil and Water Conservation Commission (term 07/01/2024–07/01/2029): notice of appointment filed; referred to Agricultural Affairs Committee for confirmation.

The Senate handled the confirmations during routine committee-report consideration and concluded the session with announcements and adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.