The Idaho House has approved a bill to remove bipartisan membership requirements for the state’s Fish and Game Commission. The House voted 48-14 to send to the Senate the measure ending the current rule that no more than four members of the seven-member commission be from the same political party. The move comes a month after Commissioner Bradley Melton of Lewiston had to step down because of his political affiliation. Melton changed his affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated shortly before submitting his application last September. Fish and Game commissioners, tasked with setting hunting and fishing regulations, seasons, and other wildlife policy, are appointed by the governor, and Republicans have held a majority on the commission for years. The remaining spots sometimes go to commissioners who are unaffiliated, rather than Democrats. (AP)
