Senate State Affairs Committee advances appointments, sends four measures to print including campus concealed-carry repeal and WHO limit

The Senate State Affairs Committee convened at 8:00 a.m. and advanced a slate of gubernatorial appointments while forwarding several legislative proposals to print on Jan. 17.

Brigadier General Timothy J. Donnellan, the governor’s nominee for Adjutant General of the Idaho Military Division, introduced himself and summarized more than 30 years of service, including five deployments and 13 years of continuous command. In response to a committee question, Donnellan affirmed he supports "civilian control of the military" and said the Air National Guard is equipped for both state and federal missions and operates at roughly one-third the cost of federal forces.

Scott Madison, nominated to the Idaho Energy Resource Authority, described a 30-year career in the gas industry and said rising regional demand — driven by data centers and industrial expansion, especially in Oregon and Washington — is increasing interest in baseload generation options. Madison said lifecycle cost analysis over 20–30 years should guide decisions and indicated that regulatory changes in neighboring states have pressured alternatives such as gas plants, while research into nuclear options is increasing.

Thomas Mello, the nominee to the State Building Authority, cited experience in public bond issuance and real-estate finance and told the committee he would prioritize improving schools, expanding state employee facilities and addressing land and construction costs that contribute to housing affordability challenges.

Patricia Perkins was presented for reappointment to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board; Perkins, who has served as Director of the Idaho Department of Finance, said the board works with the Treasurer’s Office and an outside investment firm to manage state funds "in a safe and sound method."

Andrew Arulanandam was presented as nominee to lead both the State Liquor Division and the Idaho Lottery Division. He said the Liquor Division provides significant income to the state, described a goal of improving data management with Idaho Technical Services, and said lottery ticket sales have declined among younger adults while large jackpots continue to drive sales; he noted the Mega Millions consortium raised the per-ticket price to $5 in 2024.

On appointments, the committee moved the nomination of George Lynch to the Idaho Energy Resource Authority to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation (motion by Senator Harris; seconded by Senator Den Hartog; voice vote carried). A reappointment of Thomas Wilford to the Endowment Fund Investment Board was also moved to the floor with recommendation for confirmation (motion by Vice Chairman Bernt; seconded by Senator Harris; voice vote carried).

On legislative matters, Senator Foreman sponsored several request statutes (RS) the committee voted to send to print. RS 31839 would repeal and replace Idaho Code § 18-3309 to remove governing boards’ authority to limit concealed weapons at public colleges and universities; Foreman characterized the change as addressing alleged Second Amendment violations. The committee voted to send RS 31839 to print on a motion by Senator Shippy.

RS 31840 would repeal Idaho Code § 46-802, which currently prohibits a group from organizing as a military company or parading with firearms. Foreman argued the statute implicates First and Second Amendment protections and the committee voted to send RS 31840 to print (motion by Senator Adams).

RS 31874, offered to amend Title 39, would assert that the World Health Organization has no jurisdiction or control over Idaho government or citizens. Foreman cited concerns about the WHO’s pandemic response and transparency; he said the proposal would not alter treaty obligations under the Supremacy Clause but would be a state assertion of rights. The committee voted to send RS 31874 to print (motion by Senator Harris).

RS 31877 is a concurrent resolution asking the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to undertake an after-action study of Idaho’s COVID-19 response. The committee carried a motion to send RS 31877 to print, with Senator Harris recorded as voting nay; committee members requested more detail in the fiscal note.

The committee approved the minutes of Jan. 10, 2025, and Chairman Guthrie adjourned the meeting at 9:07 a.m.

What’s next: The gubernatorial appointments forwarded by the committee will proceed to the full Senate for consideration. The RS items were sent to print, a procedural step allowing bill drafting and formal introduction at a later date.