[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6336269,"mediaKeyId","2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f","parentId",2286469,"title","Department of Lands outlines wildfire funding, Good Neighbor Authority progress and requests for new fire positions","audioSeconds",3513,"startMs",1192000,"endMs",4705000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f&start=1192&end=4705","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f/thumbnail_1192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6336269/Idaho/Department-of-Lands-outlines-wildfire-funding-Good-Neighbor-Authority-progress-and-requests-for-new-fire-positions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6336269-07debc3eac8058a4325c3e24f281c88e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773151475&Signature=hS6zJgXHvSNpbyPb8mTJN71MOzWfiJXBUSDuvbyOsqCkMCWCsybxQlv8YfCfZN8qR7ReNJu6iWoTTUh1uI4QIR~DtXD~RF8-~uriW3K11qQLBPOf5~nG79hOxy~w9jaA4RhFMAlYbhV6TQaMx4mdIpI0F5byLrtLyDi6jf9L7RY-i~BuNdxrKV7iGwojCW-0fVwBwv-6R56o2yGx9ljvS9-spHhZdHEBdk-kSL2ZJIWv7IAr5JQ2fYcjDvn2x28D4AwerSMLNtDOsuAZCHVJprMkqHmS4~gX~yulcLM6EDmbJhr~JZfZa1qdoLMAVJLodShKg4hs~wbqhIBL8tabqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Joint Legislative","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee heard detailed testimony on the Idaho Department of Lands’ FY2026 base budget and line‑item requests, with major focus on wildfire funding, staffing for fire program modernization, the Timber Protective Associations and the Good Neighbor Authority.

Janet Jessup of the Legislative Services Office opened the Department of Lands presentation and described the department’s multiple programs and dedicated funds. Jessup told the committee that the Department of Lands Fund is a large, multi‑source fund (listed in the fiscal source book) and that the department’s fire suppression deficiency warrant fund is continuously appropriated—allowing the agency to spend without a traditional legislative appropriation when warranted. She noted the legislature has increasingly prefunded that account since 2015.

Dustin Miller, director of the Department of Lands, told the committee the department’s firefighting responsibilities have grown in complexity as the state’s “fire season is getting more expensive” and seasons last longer. Miller said the department manages partnerships with federal agencies and local organizations and that reimbursement timing from federal partners can lag. He told the panel that, if the governor’s recommended transfers are not adopted, the department projects the suppression account could drop to about $13 million in FY2026 after outstanding invoices are paid.

Jessup summarized the governor’s recommendations: a $40 million transfer from the general fund to the fire suppression deficiency fund and a separate $60 million supplemental transfer for the current year; together those transfers would materially increase the fund balance shown in the department’s projections. The governor also recommended $1 million in firefighter bonuses for Department of Lands employees; representatives of the Timber Protective Associations sought an additional $250,000 so their non‑state firefighters would also receive bonuses.

The committee discussed the Timber Protective Associations (TPAs). Jessup and Miller explained TPAs are quasi‑state entities (Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association based in McCall; Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association based in Orofino) that receive assessments and fees from private timberland to fund fire protection work. The governor recommended a 5% compensation equivalent (CEC) for TPAs to provide parity with state employee CECs; committee members asked how that interacts with the recent state CEC passed for state employees. Miller explained TPA employees are not state employees, so the CEC passed for state workers does not apply to them and the line‑item enhancement was intended to give comparable personnel dollars to TPAs.

On staffing and program enhancements, Jessup walked the committee through a set of requested positions tied to fire program modernization and preparedness: a fire emergency support program manager, a fire aviation section manager, a statewide forest assessment program manager, an assistant fire warden for the Ponderosa area, a fiscal specialist and a forest program position. Miller said those positions support coordination, aviation oversight, and a statewide mapping and assessment effort to ensure appropriate billing and collection for preparedness assessments.

Miller described the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) program, which uses agreements with the U.S. Forest Service to increase the pace and scale of active management and restoration on federal lands. Miller told the committee the GNA has produced significant receipts that now largely fund the program: he said about $40 million has been generated to date with roughly $18 million available from GNA timber sale receipts for department costs, about $6 million going to restoration contracts and other amounts for personnel and operations. The department has agreements with six of seven national forests in Idaho and said GNA accounted for about 24% of the Forest Service’s Idaho volume in the prior year.

Committee members asked about abandoned mine lands (AML) funding. Miller said Idaho faces nearly 9,000 abandoned mine sites and the abandoned‑mine fund is not sufficient to address the full scope of closures; funding from the mine license tax is limited and backlog remains substantial.

Several legislators pressed for more data on historical firefighting costs and reimbursement timing. Jessup said the office can follow up with multiyear deficiency‑warrant spending history; Miller said the department is improving electronic billing systems to accelerate reimbursements but that federal invoicing timelines remain a challenge. Miller warned the committee that without supplemental transfers and the governor’s recommended deposits the suppression fund balance could decline materially.

No formal votes occurred; committee members asked staff to provide further expenditure history and to follow up on details of TPAs, GNA revenue flows and abandoned‑mine fund projections.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Meeting February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee reviewed the Department of Lands’ FY2026 budget, focusing on wildfire suppression funding, requested staffing for fire program modernization, Timber Protective Association compensation, the Good Neighbor Authority and abandoned‑mine funding.","taxTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, JOINT, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",28593,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6336274,"Endowment Fund Investment Board seeks pay increases for two investment staff; governor does not recommend",1103,69000,1172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f&start=69&end=1172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6336274/Idaho/Endowment-Fund-Investment-Board-seeks-pay-increases-for-two-investment-staff-governor-does-not-recommend","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6336274-a6f24f4faf3defd29c136f99741a0ce0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773151475&Signature=JoZUiNExbNYji-tL-5hfPG5UwvRyehU78rrhJZ8ghrWNI7JueYX8acC36NQs2KBvQx5TM-hZMMyzjdkGFxU66DnA3-i~JkUvCpdHGj1RsvL3U9m~MK9xuRGxQKERJ6o1-ZG10ikUXlBH5jX4JSNFr0mSdkCoOY-nlVzt~sbm4~3Pio-dApCQZNA2CDNKBydfcSj3hzHCDgBcpf2-k5FxHRZxNRHXQLj080xjSNRbRBgmpoCOMjBpnLrbfKwM4EPRG3DjEVFa4h2dxDItD5fqZjaUJYbUKIxKCFPkeU9c32N7cpVDF0c632T6Mf~ahjQqE8U60f2wQj0uFJ71Urpe8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee heard testimony on the budget and pay requests for the Endowment Fund Investment Board on the morning the panel met.

Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, said the Endowment Fund Investment Board—established in Idaho code—manages the state’s land grant endowments and other statutorily required funds. She told the committee the board’s FY2026 request included a $100,000 compensation enhancement to increase salaries for two staff members; the governor’s recommendation did not include that compensation request.

Thomas Wilford, chairman of the Endowment Fund Investment Board, told the committee the request has a history tied to initial hiring decisions. “When Chris Anton was hired…he was hired at a level that was below what was expected,” Wilford said, adding the board believes replacing senior investment staff would cost more than current pay. Chris Anton, the board’s manager of investments, clarified the board’s current request was intended to increase pay for two long‑time staff: he said the board sought roughly $54,800 for Deputy Chief Investment Officer Chris Halverson and $28,400 for himself.

Anton told the committee the jobs managed by the board are substantially more complex than when some staff were originally hired. He said the office now manages roughly $5 billion in investments across the endowment fund and state insurance fund, and that staff roles have become more complex while pay grades have not kept pace. “He’s been in the same pay grade the whole time,” Anton said of Halverson, arguing the position’s scope now exceeds the existing grade.

Representative Manwaring and Co‑Chair Horman questioned the size of the requested increases, asking whether the board faced turnover risk or was trying to match private market pay. Wilford said the board’s compensation committee and the full board had approved the recommendations and that the board had discussed the matter with the governor’s office and the Division of Human Resources but had not reached final agreement with those offices.

Jessup explained where the endowment board’s operating funds appear in the budget and noted the governor’s recommendation supported other non‑compensation parts of the board’s request (general inflation and technical hardware) but did not include the requested salary increases.

No formal committee action or vote on the compensation request was taken during the hearing. Committee members asked the board chair and staff for additional detail about the pay comparator work and the board’s rationale; staff said they would be available to answer follow‑up questions.

The presentation also summarized the board’s staffing levels and finances: Jessup said the board has four FTPs and historically has filled positions at a high rate, and Anton noted the board reported consistent investment returns and long‑term investment income that benefits state beneficiaries.

The committee will consider the board’s enhancement request as part of broader budget deliberations; the governor’s recommendation currently omits the requested compensation increases.

","The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard a request from the Endowment Fund Investment Board for salary increases for two senior investment staff. Board leaders said the raises are intended to retain experienced staff; the governor's recommendation does not include the compensation increases.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6336265,"Idaho Dental Education Program seeks one additional seat; program says graduates largely return to practice in state",795,4746000,5541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f&start=4746&end=5541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2286469-d799ea711852854a43941030bb1e8f2f/thumbnail_4746000.jpg","/articles/6336265/Idaho/Idaho-Dental-Education-Program-seeks-one-additional-seat-program-says-graduates-largely-return-to-practice-in-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6336265-4a592fcee7543c6e1dbd7795df7f578c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773151475&Signature=fZlNePFTm9~FEZDnIjr9hgtc94ocuxHc10pLs0SY7jh4-EuKI2TgFg~mgjsT9Lv4mVzqS60WOyJdHQHGyc4p6hYICLOxytojrDej05VqONNa674N5CLYZZ5pepv2zwAO89gA0kMiCyBIqKPdptQZWyuMpwJxH2SZzWs2BTtsud8VqAjkH2SGuBbbcQsGbL3iEr6zy3gW-cv1FHg52RSI3eI7bi~QESijkUI~Sz6icWExtz3twdHe6HP6nXJJvSok9-rVXetzs~WjErQnR5SEJRceWmWZIoFTLsdfmdxz2Jiwm4HS-cj3aYdqJfu63uSKwQZByUfKlVs4NKS8PW79RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee heard testimony from the Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP) on a FY2026 request for one additional ongoing seat and related budget context.

Kevin Campbell, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, summarized the IDEP arrangement: Idaho students spend their first year of dental training at Idaho State University and complete clinical training at Creighton University School of Dentistry under a contractual arrangement; seats are reserved for Idaho residents and receive tuition discounts. Campbell said IDEP requested $54,000 ongoing from the general fund for one additional seat as part of a long‑term plan to reach 36 total seats.

Jeff Weibargin, director of IDEP and an alumnus of the program, told committee members IDEP is oversubscribed and can fill additional seats. He said applicants typically have strong academic credentials and that graduates frequently return to Idaho to practice. Weibargin provided historical return rates: roughly 65–70% of graduates historically returned to Idaho, and the program’s more recent five‑year window shows closer to an 80% return rate once graduates are tracked beyond their initial post‑graduation year.

Weibargin described IDEP’s staffing and expenditures: the program has about 3.25 FTP, uses adjunct retired instructors to fill faculty gaps and expects personnel expenditures to rise as full‑time faculty are added. He told the committee that graduates who do not go through the IDEP pathway often graduate with much higher educational debt and are less likely to return to practice in Idaho as a result.

Committee members asked about statewide dentist supply. Weibargin said Idaho has roughly one dentist per 2,000 residents and that geographic shortages are concentrated in less populated areas. Senators and representatives on the committee asked about applicant volume and retention; Weibargin said IDEP routinely receives far more qualified applicants than available seats and cited average applicant GPAs around 3.8 and high scores on the dental admissions test.

No vote was taken during the hearing; the committee asked IDEP staff to remain available for follow‑up budget questions as the legislature proceeds with deliberations.

","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee reviewed a request from the Idaho Dental Education Program for one additional ongoing seat ($54,000) to increase the program’s capacity. Program leaders said graduates commonly return to practice in Idaho and the program remains oversubscribed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department of Lands outlines wildfire funding, Good Neighbor Authority progress and requests for new fire positions

Endowment Fund Investment Board seeks pay increases for two investment staff; governor does not recommend

Idaho Dental Education Program seeks one additional seat; program says graduates largely return to practice in state