The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee considered a slate of gubernatorial appointments and moved several matters toward floor consideration while sending four proposed pieces of legislation to print.

Major General Timothy J. Donlin, nominated by Gov. Brad Little to be the state’s Adjutant General and head of the Idaho Military Division, told the committee he would “never relent” in ensuring the Idaho National Guard remains an “elite and ready war fighting force.” Donlin, who described 32 years of service, five combat deployments and more than a decade of command experience, said he would prioritize training and legal collaboration across state agencies if confirmed.

The committee also heard from Scott Madison, the governor’s pick for the Idaho Energy Resource Authority, who described growing electric demand in the region and potential future work on financing generation for public-sector utilities. Madison said he believes in “the free market” for determining which generation resources should be built and urged evaluating life‑cycle economic and environmental costs when comparing options such as renewables, natural gas and small modular nuclear plants.

Other appointees who introduced themselves included Thomas Mello for the State Building Authority, Patty (Patricia) Perkins for reappointment to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board, and Andrew Rulanandam for leadership roles at the Idaho State Liquor Division and the Idaho Lottery. Committee members thanked each presenter and indicated several of those confirmations will be taken up in a committee vote on Monday.

Votes at a glance
- George Lynch — Idaho Energy Resource Authority: motion to send to the Senate floor with recommendation he be confirmed carried (motion by Senator Harris; second by Senator Dan Hartog). No roll-call tally was read into the record.
- Thomas Wilford — Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board (reappointment): motion to send to the Senate floor with recommendation he be confirmed carried. (Mover recorded on the floor; no roll-call tally read.)
- RS31839 (proposed repeal/replacement of Idaho Code 18-3309 to prohibit colleges and universities from limiting concealed weapons): sent to print (motion by Senator Shippey; second by Senator Harris).
- RS31840 (proposed repeal of Idaho Code 46-802, an early-20th‑century restriction on militias and parades with firearms): sent to print (motion by Senator Adams; second by Senator Shippey).
- RS31874 (proposed creation of a chapter declaring that World Health Organization directives have no jurisdiction in Idaho): sent to print (motion by Senator Harris; second by Senator Anton).
- RS31877 (requesting a legislative study/committee to investigate Idaho’s state government response to the COVID-19 pandemic): sent to print (motion by Senator Shippey; second by Senator Adams). Senator Harris asked to be recorded as voting no on this motion.
- Minutes of Jan. 10, 2025: approved (motion by Senator Anton; second by Senator Dan Hartog).

On RS31839, sponsor Sen. Dan Foreman said the bill would remove the authority of university and college governing boards to regulate or prohibit the otherwise lawful possession, carrying or transportation of firearms or ammunition by a person with a valid concealed‑carry permit; Foreman urged the committee to send the measure to print for further consideration. On RS31840, Foreman outlined that Idaho Code 46‑802 dates to 1927 and would be repealed because he contends it limits assembly and arms rights.

Foreman also introduced RS31874, saying the proposed code would state the World Health Organization “shall have no jurisdiction” over Idaho public‑health matters and that the measure is intended as a preventative reaffirmation of state sovereignty. He told the committee he had not yet requested a formal opinion from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office about potential conflicts with the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause but said he would pursue such review if requested.

RS31877 would request a legislative committee to study the state government’s pandemic response. Foreman said the resolution is framed as a fact‑finding study, not a fault‑finding investigation, and that an after‑action review could inform future preparedness. Budget staff noted the legislature likely could staff a study using existing appropriations unless outside consultants are hired.

Committee members asked questions across the appointments. Sen. Harris thanked Donlin for his service and asked whether the A‑10 aircraft is “fun to fly,” prompting Donlin to recount the “higher level of consciousness” required in flight operations. Senators pressed Madison about small nuclear reactors, and Madison said he believes small modular nuclear reactors have a future as a base‑load option to support renewables. Andrew Rulanandam, who told senators he is roughly 120 days into leadership of the State Liquor Division, said he would prioritize “a more cohesive data management system” in coordination with the state’s technology services division.

Next steps
Several confirmations presented on the record will be voted on by the committee at its next meeting, according to committee remarks. The RS bills that were sent to print will proceed through the legislative drafting and introduction process.

(For recordkeeping: the committee meeting transcript shows the items above were introduced and the motions recorded as described; several appointee confirmations were presented but not voted on at this session.)