BOISE — The Idaho State Senate convened Jan. 16, 2025, with roll call showing 32 senators present and three absent and excused; Senator Anthony was recorded as absent and formally excused. After a prayer from Chaplain Doug Armstrong and the Pledge of Allegiance led by page Samantha Smith, the Senate approved the journal of Jan. 15, 2025, and proceeded through routine orders of business.

The Senate heard committee reports and introduced new legislation. Senate Concurrent Resolution 101, reported by the State Affairs Committee, states legislative findings and rejects the rates of legislative compensation set by the citizens committee on legislative compensation; the resolution was referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing and then placed on the 10th order of business and held for one legislative day. Senate Bill 1002 was referred to the Transportation Committee. The Resources and Environment Committee presented Senate Bill 103, described in the chamber as “an act relating to fish and game” that would bar certain persons from applying for hunting, fishing or trapping licenses with an exception; and Senate Bill 104, described as a bill to provide that freedom from discrimination because of “****** orientation or gender identity” is a civil right and to make technical corrections. Senate Bill 1003 and Senate Bill 104 were referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.

Several gubernatorial appointments were reported out of committee and referred for further consideration. The State Affairs Committee recommended confirmation of Rob Perez to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board for a term ending July 1, 2028; that appointment was placed on the 10th order of business and held for one legislative day. The Resources and Environment Committee recommended Brent Baker and Mark Brinkmeyer for the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission with terms to expire July 24, 2026; those appointments were also referred to the 10th order and held for one legislative day. The Judiciary and Rules Committee recommended Kirk Nelson to the "****** offender management board" with a term to expire Jan. 1, 2027; that appointment was referred to the 10th order and held for one legislative day. The Health and Welfare Committee recommended confirmation of Alex Adams as director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, a position whose term continues at the pleasure of the governor; that appointment was referred to the 10th order and held for one legislative day.

The Senate included a series of member announcements. Senator Nichols and Senator Van Orden (both referenced during announcements) and others publicized a 4 p.m. event in the Lincoln Auditorium that organizers described as a livestreamed discussion about adoption work in the state, featuring testimonies and a question-and-answer session; the event is organized in part by a group named in the transcript as "Unplanned Good." Senator Cook announced the Idaho Association of Building Officials reception scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Grove Hotel ballroom. The majority leader announced a chairman’s lunch immediately following adjournment in the majority caucus room.

The Senate conducted routine unanimous-consent requests to advance through orders of business several times during the session. Senator Harris moved to adjourn the Senate until 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The president declared the Senate adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Adjournment motion (moved by Senator Harris; second not named): carried by voice vote (aye). No recorded roll-call vote was taken on the motion.

(Details in actions array.)