#IDAHO FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER FULL#

The bill must pass a full committee hearing, both chambers of the legislature, and the governor’s desk before becoming law. I think having that diversity on our commissions is critical.” Idaho Fish and Game Commission chairman Alex Irby introduced newly-appointed Commission member Cameron Wheeler as the first order of business at the Commission meeting in Bonners Ferry July 10-11. “There are statutory protections for minority representation on our commissions. “This opens up a Pandora’s box,” said House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise. Democrats on the panel fear that altering the requirements on the Fish and Game Commission could open the door to changing the partisan makeup of other state commissions as well. The bill was printed on a party-line vote Thursday in the House Ways and Means Committee. Shepherd’s seat in Legislative District 7 represents Clearwater, Idaho and Shoshone counties and a portion of Bonner County. The region oversees wildlife in Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Idaho counties north of the Salmon River. The governor’s office is accepting applications for the vacant Clearwater Region seat until March 13. Melton is qualified to fill the spot, he willingly stepped down so that I can appoint someone to the commission in accordance with the spirit of the law.” “Transparency in government and public confidence in the Idaho Fish and Game Commission are paramount to me,” Little said in a press release. Melton informed Governor Brad Little that he had changed his party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated shortly before applying to the post in September, when the commission already had four Republican members. This proposed change in party requirements comes after newly appointed commissioner Bradley Melton of Lewiston resigned from his position last month. Commissioners represent one of seven administrative regions, appointed to staggered four-year terms by the governor and approved by the state senate. The Fish and Game Commission was created by Idaho’s first ballot initiative in 1938 to administer the state’s wildlife policies.

Idaho fish and game commissioner