Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously approves governor’s appointees to hail, livestock and veterinary boards
Summary
The Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee voted unanimously in executive session to confirm multiple gubernatorial appointments to state agricultural boards, approving nominees to the state hail insurance board, the Livestock Loss Board, the Board of Livestock and the Board of Veterinary Medicine.
The Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee voted unanimously in executive session to confirm a slate of gubernatorial appointees to several state agricultural boards, moving the nominations forward after public testimony and committee questioning.
The committee approved Senate Resolution 19 to reappoint Vince Mattson and Bing Von Bergen to Montana’s state hail insurance board, SR 34 to confirm John Sampsel to the Livestock Loss Board, SR 35 to confirm Eric Moore to the Board of Livestock, and SR 45 to confirm Joshua Donald, Dr. Tia Nelson and Dr. Garrett Ryerson to the Board of Veterinary Medicine. Committee members conducted voice votes; senators noted proxies were recorded in favor and the motions carried without opposition.
Why it mattered: supporters from the governor’s office, industry groups and department staff told the committee the appointees bring farming and livestock experience, regional representation and industry contacts that help the agencies respond to disease threats, brand‑enforcement issues and predator‑related livestock losses. Celia Rigler, speaking for the governor’s office, asked the committee to “please do pass” several nominees. Mike Hunnicutt, executive officer of the Montana Department of Livestock, praised candidates’ practical knowledge and cited examples where board members’ connections helped resolve interstate and vaccine issues quickly.
What nominees said: Vince Mattson introduced himself as a Chester‑area dryland farmer seeking another term on the state hail board and described the board’s evolving role in crop‑insurance programs. Bing Von Bergen said he has farmed for 45 years and supports the state‑run hail program’s evolution since the widespread 2013 hail losses. John Sampsel, a cattle and sheep producer from Judith Basin County, emphasized the board’s role in addressing predator‑related losses and said the panel is working to fill staff vacancies. Eric Moore (who said his full name is Frederick Moore but goes by Eric) cited his work with auction markets and feedlots, and argued geographic diversity on the Board of Livestock had already helped the department manage issues including electronic identification rules and regional vaccine shortages. Joshua Donald, Dr. Tia Nelson and Dr. Garrett Ryerson also addressed the committee and received broad support from the Montana Veterinary Medical Association, the Department of Labor and Industry and industry associations.
Supporters and process: testimony came from the governor’s office, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Livestock, the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Montana Grain Growers and other industry groups. After public testimony and committee questioning, the chair closed the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and voted. The record shows unanimous voice votes with proxies indicated as “aye.”
Next steps: confirmed nominees will serve on their respective boards under the statutory terms that govern each board; the committee did not attach conditions to the approvals. The hearing concluded and the committee adjourned.
