Idaho Senate opens session with prayer and roll call, schedules training and adjourns to Jan. 8

The Idaho Senate convened Jan. 7 with the presiding officer calling the chamber to order and the secretary conducting roll call; the presiding officer later announced 34 senators were present and that Senator Woodward was absent and excused.

Chaplain Doug Armstrong led the body in prayer, invoking historical reflection and quoting Winston Churchill: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it," and concluded with "Amen." Page Alexis Abenroth led the pledge of allegiance.

Members made a series of procedural announcements: Senator Van Orden said the Health and Welfare Committee will hold a short meeting tomorrow at 3 p.m.; Senator Sarah Land introduced Lori Barber, president of the College of Eastern Idaho, and Angela Sackett, vice president of academics and student affairs, to the gallery; another senator announced a weekly Bible study; and Senator Anton briefed members on committee photographs to be taken immediately after adjournment.

Senator Denhartauge reminded the body of mandatory Respectful Workplace training at 1:30 p.m. followed by ethics training in the Lincoln Auditorium, then moved that the Senate adjourn until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Senator Van Orden seconded the motion. The presiding officer called for a voice vote; "Aye" was recorded and the motion carried. The presiding officer closed the session and the Senate adjourned until the announced time.

The session contained routine opening business, ceremonial remarks, member logistics announcements, and scheduling directives for training; no floor debates or legislative roll-call votes on bills occurred during this sitting.