Former Fish and Game commissioners demand new Senate chair

Fourteen former Idaho Fish and Game commissioners are asking legislative leaders to replace the head of the state’s Senate Resources and Environment Committee.

The Spokesman-Review reports that the commissioners sent a letter Thursday asking that Sen. Steve Bair, a Republican from Blackfoot, no longer chair the senate committee.

The commissioners wrote that their request was prompted over a dispute over reappointment of commissioners, as well as after seeing efforts to change how controlled hunting permits are allocated.

Bair said that was “their opinion” when asked about the commissioner’s letter on Friday, adding that he appreciated the commissioners’ past work and willingness to serve.

Bair has been chairman of the Senate Resources and Environment Committee since 2014. He was recently re-elected to serve a sixth term.

Legislative leaders are scheduled to select committee chairmen in December.