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Senate State Affairs advances nominees, approves rule dockets and sends multiple measures to print
Summary
The Senate State Affairs Committee on Jan. 23 recommended confirmation for one gubernatorial nominee, reappointed another, approved three administrative dockets and sent several RS measures (including changes to highway district elections and proposed alcohol licensing-fee adjustments) to print; all actions passed by voice vote in the committee minutes.
The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee moved multiple nominations, rule dockets and legislative service requests forward during its Jan. 23 meeting in Room WW55, according to the committee minutes. All recorded actions were carried by voice vote.
Confirmation recommendations and reappointments: The Committee voted to send the gubernatorial appointment of Leighton Linning to the Commission on Human Rights to the floor with a recommendation for confirmation (motion: Senator Den Hartog; second: Senator Harris). The Committee likewise moved the reappointment of Brian Scigliano to the Commission on Human Rights to the floor with a recommendation for confirmation (motion: Senator Ruchti; second: Senator Den Hartog). The minutes do not record individual roll-call tallies for these voice votes.
Administrative rules approved: The Committee approved Docket No. 11-0501-2501 (Alcohol Beverage Control rules). Russ Wheatley, identifying himself as a former Idaho State Police lieutenant colonel and current Deputy Director and Chief of Staff to Colonel Bill Gardiner, told the Committee the rule changes respond to public feedback and the 2025 legislative session and "eliminate misleading language and [make the rules] less restrictive." The Committee also approved Docket No. 34-0301-2501 to implement Sunshine Law changes; Deputy Secretary of State Matthew Reiber said 2025 H 398 codified lobbying laws and removed the need for portions of that rule. The Committee approved Docket No. 38-0404-2501, a Capitol Mall Parking chapter rewrite; Director Steve Walker said two public meetings were held and no feedback was received.
Legislative service requests (RS) advanced: The Committee sent RS 32950 (changes to election process for Highway District Commissioners—May primary participation, district residency, and county-wide election) to print (motion: Senator Harris; second: Senator Anthon). Chairman Guthrie introduced RS 32832C1, which would adjust alcoholic beverage licensing fees; Guthrie noted most fees have not been raised since 1947 and referenced Idaho Code regarding the nature of liquor licenses. The Committee also sent RS 33041, a proposed concurrent resolution to add a Joint Rule 24 limiting routing-slip volume requests by topic, to print (motion: Senator Harris; second: Senator Den Hartog).
Procedural note: Chairman Guthrie passed the gavel to Vice Chairman Bernt during the meeting. Vice Chairman Bernt adjourned the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
What the minutes do not show: The record contains voice-vote outcomes but does not include numerical tallies or recorded dissent for the listed motions. The minutes do not record floor action dates or further committee requirements for the RS items beyond sending them to print.
