Idaho SB 1300 - Making agency director political appointments

[44hunter45]

Use your preferred contact method to make your opinion known to your State Senator. Introduced by Senator Doug Okuniewicz, District 2

https://legiscan.com/ID/bill/S1300/2026

 

[westbranch]

Giving this a bump as I have received a couple emails about it. Good info from Idaho Wildlife Federation here:

SB 1300 Would Make IDFG Director a Governor Appointee — Idaho Wildlife Federation

UPDATE 2/24/26: Bill to make IDFG Director a Governor Appointee Moves Forward - On Monday, February 23 , the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 8-1 to move S1300 to the Senate Floor with a "Do Pass" recommendation. If this bill passes the Senate, it will then move to House

idahowildlife.org

 

[Elktrack]

Giving this a bump as I have received a couple emails about it. Good info from Idaho Wildlife Federation here:

SB 1300 Would Make IDFG Director a Governor Appointee — Idaho Wildlife Federation

UPDATE 2/24/26: Bill to make IDFG Director a Governor Appointee Moves Forward - On Monday, February 23 , the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 8-1 to move S1300 to the Senate Floor with a "Do Pass" recommendation. If this bill passes the Senate, it will then move to House

idahowildlife.org

Help me understand the ramifications of.
What difference does it make if the Governor appoints the director of the commission does?
The governor already appoints the commission members.
I’m sincerely asking BTW, not trying to be difficult.
I suppose if the governor picked a director from outside the department that would be a problem. In all reality the governor already has enormous amount of sway in the decision already. It’s never a secret who will be the next director usually.

 

[TheTone]

Help me understand the ramifications of.
What difference does it make if the Governor appoints the director of the commission does?
The governor already appoints the commission members.
I’m sincerely asking BTW, not trying to be difficult.
I suppose if the governor picked a director from outside the department that would be a problem. In all reality the governor already has enormous amount of sway in the decision already. It’s never a secret who will be the next director usually.

Historically agency directors have been long term agency employees with a great track record. This would basically open the door for it to just be whoever the governor at the time wants it to be whether they have any background any wildlife management or not. I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to think you could end up with people that are in it for political favors, dislike the agency as a whole or want to guide the agency into a direction that doesn’t favor common man hunters

The part of this that isn’t getting as much publicity as I expected is that it could lead to Harriman state park going back into private ownership; maybe some politicians want that?

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Look no further than Colorado to see what could go wrong with this.

 

[morley.tyler]

Just emailed my Dist 1 Senator. If I get a reply, I'll post it here.

 

[Elktrack]

Historically agency directors have been long term agency employees with a great track record. This would basically open the door for it to just be whoever the governor at the time wants it to be whether they have any background any wildlife management or not. I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to think you could end up with people that are in it for political favors, dislike the agency as a whole or want to guide the agency into a direction that doesn’t favor common man hunters

The part of this that isn’t getting as much publicity as I expected is that it could lead to Harriman state park going back into private ownership; maybe some politicians want that?

That’s the part that wasn’t clicking yet. I see what you’re saying and agree that it could allow for a horrible appointee.
I can’t imagine a director coming from outside the department. We’ve got some good people in there that should absolutely take the helm when the time comes. Outsider would be a nightmare.
Thanks Tone

 

[Ben Lamb]

Historically agency directors have been long term agency employees with a great track record. This would basically open the door for it to just be whoever the governor at the time wants it to be whether they have any background any wildlife management or not. I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to think you could end up with people that are in it for political favors, dislike the agency as a whole or want to guide the agency into a direction that doesn’t favor common man hunters

The part of this that isn’t getting as much publicity as I expected is that it could lead to Harriman state park going back into private ownership; maybe some politicians want that?

Not sure about Idaho or the ID constitution, but in many states where the Gov appoints the directors, it's due to the issue around the agency being part of the executive branch, of which the Governor is the Chief Executive. Most Governors then get to choose their cabinets, etc. If your Governor is choosing the commission members, then by-and-large, that Governor is selecting the director through them.

I've seen issues where the commission-appointed director got a political sandbagging just as I've seen a Gov sand-bag a director. I've seen agencies bend a knee to legislatures despite knowing something is wrong, and I've seen special interests direct an agency to do things that were counter to it's mission.

Want better directors? Elect good candidates.

 

[Elktrack]

Not sure about Idaho or the ID constitution, but in many states where the Gov appoints the directors, it's due to the issue around the agency being part of the executive branch, of which the Governor is the Chief Executive. Most Governors then get to choose their cabinets, etc. If your Governor is choosing the commission members, then by-and-large, that Governor is selecting the director through them.

I've seen issues where the commission-appointed director got a political sandbagging just as I've seen a Gov sand-bag a director. I've seen agencies bend a knee to legislatures despite knowing something is wrong, and I've seen special interests direct an agency to do things that were counter to it's mission.

Want better directors? Elect good candidates.

Our system has been working pretty well. Like Tone pointed out, the Director has always come from within the department and has a strong grasp of things. We’ve been lucky to have pretty good directors, not perfect, but overall good. I’m not sure I like the idea of elected Director.

 

[TheTone]

Want better directors? Elect good candidates.

this is Idaho, people vote for a letter behind a name regardless of how much that person will then wreck things for the constituents. We then forget every four years that things have only gotten worse

 

[morley.tyler]

Nailed it!

Historically agency directors have been long term agency employees with a great track record. This would basically open the door for it to just be whoever the governor at the time wants it to be whether they have any background any wildlife management or not. I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to think you could end up with people that are in it for political favors, dislike the agency as a whole or want to guide the agency into a direction that doesn’t favor common man hunters

The part of this that isn’t getting as much publicity as I expected is that it could lead to Harriman state park going back into private ownership; maybe some politicians want that?

 

[Ben Lamb]

this is Idaho, people vote for a letter behind a name regardless of how much that person will then wreck things for the constituents. We then forget every four years that things have only gotten worse

The challenge is only insurmountable if you do nothing.