Senate State Affairs advances Adjutant General appointment, approves lottery and athletic commission rules

The Senate State Affairs Committee convened at 8:01 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2025, in Room WW55 and handled routine business, appointments and agency rule dockets.

Chairman Guthrie called the meeting to order and the committee first approved minutes from Jan. 15 and Jan. 17, 2025, each by motion and voice vote.

The committee considered the gubernatorial appointment of Brigadier General Timothy J. Donnellan to serve as Adjutant General of the Idaho Military Division. Senator Harris moved to send the appointment to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation; Vice Chairman Bernt seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.

The committee recorded the gubernatorial reappointment of Dale McOmber to the State Building Authority, term beginning Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2030. McOmber described his background and recent challenges in his prior term, citing the Idaho Wheat Commission building project and school facilities funding; he said approximately $1 billion in school bonds were sold and that those funds were delivered to the Idaho Department of Education for facilities improvements. The minutes provided do not record a formal motion or vote on McOmber’s reappointment.

On agency rulemaking, Andrew Arulanandam, director of the Idaho Lottery Commission, presented temporary and pending rule amendments (Docket No. 52-0103-2401) that respond to retailer requests on safe prize payout. Under the changes, small prizes up to $599 may be paid by splitting the award: up to $100 in cash at the point of sale and the remainder on a fee-free prize payment card for amounts up to $499. Arulanandam said the retailer that issues the payout provides the card, which is usable at any retailer and may be cashed at a bank. Senator Adams and Senator Den Hartog asked follow-up questions about card provision and cashing; Senator Toews moved to approve the docket, Senator Harris seconded, and the motion carried by voice vote.

John Price, Bureau Chief for the Occupational Licensing Bureau and executive officer of the Idaho Athletic Commission, presented two dockets for the Commission. The committee adopted a temporary rule (Docket No. 24-0201-2401) restoring rules as they had existed from 2020 through sine die 2023 after earlier negotiated rulemaking missed deadlines. The committee also approved a pending rule package (Docket No. 24-0201-2402) that Price said reduces regulatory burden and clarifies procedures. Key changes summarized by Price include:

• Updating the incorporation by reference from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s 2020 list to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 prohibited-substances list.

• Adding language to allow a current medical clearance after an out-of-state sanctioned fight.

• Deleting a provision that had said promoters could not deal with persons whose license was suspended or revoked, which the Commission characterized as an overreach.

• Clarifying suspension/reinstatement language from “will not be reinstated” to “will not be eligible to be reinstated” to indicate reinstatement is not automatic.

• Deleting duplicative or outdated sections and making the Commission solely responsible for approving entities to hold sanctioned amateur events that meet specified requirements.

• Retaining the current fee table but adding a path for charity events: the Commission may waive rules, including fees, for eligible charitable events to facilitate nonprofit participation.

• Changing the time frame for submission of itemized statements from 72 hours to five business days and revising ticket resell and complimentary-tickets language to align with Idaho Code § 54-411(2).

Senator Shippy asked about the degree of negative feedback on the Athletic Commission’s final draft; Price said stakeholders were generally supportive and that the changes responding to charities were requested by stakeholders. Senator Den Hartog moved to approve the temporary rule docket; Senator Toews moved to approve the pending-rule docket and both motions carried by voice vote.

Chairman Guthrie adjourned the committee at 8:29 a.m.

Votes at a glance: • Approve Minutes (Jan. 15, 2025): motion carried by voice vote (Mover: Senator Harris; Second: Senator Toews). • Approve Minutes (Jan. 17, 2025): motion carried by voice vote (Mover: Senator Adams; Second: Senator Shippy). • Gubernatorial appointment — Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan (Adjutant General): moved to floor with recommendation for confirmation; motion carried by voice vote (Mover: Senator Harris; Second: Vice Chairman Bernt). • Docket No. 52-0103-2401 (Idaho Lottery rules): approved by voice vote (Mover: Senator Toews; Second: Senator Harris). • Docket No. 24-0201-2401 (Athletic Commission temporary rule): approved by voice vote (Mover: Senator Den Hartog; Second: Senator Toews). • Docket No. 24-0201-2402 (Athletic Commission pending rule): approved by voice vote (Mover: Senator Toews; Second: Senator Harris).

What to watch next: The Donnellan appointment will proceed to the full Senate for consideration; the Athletic Commission’s pending-rule updates reference WADA 2024 and include a new charity waiver pathway that could affect sanctioned amateur events statewide.