Governor Picks New Commissioner

Idaho Gov. Jim Risch has picked Pocatello lawyer Randall C. Budge as the new state Fish and Game commissioner for the Southeast Region. Risch announced his selection on Saturday, July 8. Budge will replace Commissioner Marcus Gibbs, whose term expired June 30. Gibbs was appointed in 1999 and 2002, and because of term-limits he could not be reappointed. "I am very pleased with Randy's willingness to serve on the Fish and Game Commission," Risch said in a prepared statement. "With his deep roots in southeastern Idaho and as a lifelong hunter and fisherman, he brings a great respect for our wildlife and a thorough understanding of hunting and fishing that will serve the commission and the sporting public well." Budge will begin his term as a commissioner presently, but he still is subject to confirmation by the state Senate. A lifelong hunter and angler, Budge said he is excited about serving on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. "I have a passion for wildlife and continuing our great hunting heritage that we have in Idaho," Budge said. "I want to be sure that our future generations can enjoy this privilege as well. I look forward to serving the citizens of this state on the commission." The son of former state Sen. Reed Budge, who served from 1969 to 1986, Randall Budge grew up on a cattle ranch near Soda Springs. He earned degrees in business finance and economics from Utah State University in 1973 and a law degree from the University of Idaho, College of Law in 1976. Budge began practicing law in Soda Springs and moved to Pocatello in 1980. Budge, now a partner in Racine, Olson, Nye, Cooper and Budge of Pocatello, has been active at times as a water lawyer in the Snake River Basin Adjudication. He is active in several sportsman organizations and was one of the founding members of the Southeast Idaho Chapter of Pheasants Forever. He serves as the organization's habitat coordinator, installing upland game bird habitat projects in four counties. He also is a member of Trout Unlimited and a past member of Ducks Unlimited. Budge and his wife, Becky, have three grown children and four grandchildren. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission was created by public initiative in 1938. Today, commissioners are appointed by the governor for staggered four-year terms, and no more than four may be from the same political party. A commissioner must live in the region he or she represents, and must be knowledgeable about and interested in wildlife conservation. Budge is a Republican and replaces Independent Gibbs. Commissioners meet at least four times annually. But in recent years, because of the complexity of wildlife and fisheries management, they have met in special sessions in addition to the quarterly meetings. The commission supervises the Department of Fish and Game; establishes regulations and other needed controls on fishing, hunting, trapping and management of wildlife in line with the state's wildlife policy; approves department budgets for submission to the legislature; conducts public hearings and makes policy decisions on the management of the state's wildlife.