It’s still being finalized, but it appears that big changes are in store in Senate committee assignments for the 2017 session. Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, has been replaced as chairman of the Local Government & Taxation Committee by Sen. Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston, and Siddoway looks likely to take over the chairmanship of the State Affairs Committee, formerly chaired by Curt McKenzie, who left the Senate for an unsuccessful run for the Idaho Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, only three Senate members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will be returning next year; seven are new. The returning members are Chair Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint; and Sens. Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot; and Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls. The new members: Sens. Fred Martin, R-Boise; Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene; Abby Lee, R-Fruitland; Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise; Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa; Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville; and Mark Nye, D-Pocatello.

Keough said she’s pleased with her new committee – and she’s always said every legislator should put in a term on JFAC to “get the big picture.” “They’re all smart, intelligent,” she said. “It’ll bring some different perspectives.”

Lee said, “Now I’ve got to sell it to my ag community that I’m going to be able to do as much or more on JFAC.” She’s leaving the Senate Ag Committee to join JFAC.

Souza said, “I’ve been told that you learn a lot about how the Legislature works, how the state works.”

Johnson, the new tax committee chairman, said, “It’s a big assignment. I’m excited, I’m looking forward to the challenge. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Pointing to the second name on the list of members of the committee – Siddoway – Johnson said, “It’s a great committee – we have a lot of experience on that committee.”

In other committee chairmanship news, Bair is continuing as chair of the Resources Committee, despite a request to legislative leaders from 14 former Idaho Fish & Game commissioners that he be replaced in that position.

---

---