JFAC approves multiple Idaho Transportation Department funding items, transfers $275 million to highway programs

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a series of motions to fund Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) programs, including supplements and FY2026 maintenance budgets, and a $275 million transfer from the general fund to dedicated highway funds. The committee combined several previously separate items into single motions and approved most measures by roll call.

The package included: reappropriations and dedicated-fund additions for the Transportation Services Division ($38,090,600 from dedicated funds); a modification to aeronautics grant-language requiring local-airport compliance before funds are distributed (accepted by unanimous consent); a FY2026 appropriation for the Division of Motor Vehicles ($1,589,800 from dedicated funds); two supplemental federal reimbursements for local public transportation jurisdictions ($5,000,000 and $500,000); a FY2026 highway-operations budget of $84,963,600 (combined dedicated and federal funds); contract construction and right-of-way supplemental funding ($60,000,000 total: $10,000,000 state local fund and $50,000,000 federal); reappropriation authority related to contract construction up to $300,000,000; and a $275,000,000 general-fund transfer to dedicated highway accounts split by $165,000,000 to the strategic initiatives program and $110,000,000 to the local highway distribution fund.

Why it matters: the transfers and reappropriations backstop scheduled construction, maintenance and safety work across Idaho, and the report language and conditions discussed by committee members reflect ongoing negotiation over how federal and state highway dollars are prioritized and directed to local partners.

Committee discussion and procedural notes: committee staff told members they were consolidating multiple motions into single bills where possible; one technical change reduced the aggregated package by $100 overall so the combined bill differed slightly from proposals previously considered on the Senate floor. Several items drew little debate and passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; some larger FY2026 packages received recorded nay votes on the Senate side.

Votes at a glance (selected outcomes): - Transportation Services Division reappropriation and targeted maintenance (motion moved by Representative Handy; seconded by Senator Cook). Vote: Senate 10 ayes; House 9 ayes; grand total 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation. - Aeronautics program language requiring local-airport compliance before fund distribution (unanimous consent). Outcome: language accepted. - Division of Motor Vehicles FY2026 additions (motion moved by Senator Cook; seconded by Representative Galaviz). Vote: Senate 10 ayes; House 9 ayes; grand total 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation. - Supplemental: $5,000,000 federal reimbursement for local public transportation jurisdictions (motion moved by Representative Galaviz; seconded by Senator Cook). Vote: Senate 10 ayes; House 9 ayes; grand total 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation. - Supplemental: $500,000 federal reimbursement to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (motion moved by Senator Cook; seconded by Representative Gallaviz). Vote: Senate 9 ayes, 1 nay; House 9 ayes, 0 nays; grand total 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation. - Highway Operations FY2026 package (including materials tracking software, public transit CARES funding, targeted crew costs, replacement items) (motion moved by Representative Furness; seconded by Senator Cook). Vote: Senate 8 ayes, 2 nays; House 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused; grand total 17 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation. - Contract construction and right-of-way supplemental ($60,000,000 total) (motion moved by Representative Handy; seconded by Senator Cook). Vote: Senate 10 ayes; House 9 ayes; grand total 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation. - Additional appropriation and reappropriation authority for contract construction (motion moved by Representative Furness; seconded by Senator Cook). Vote: Senate 10 ayes; House 9 ayes; grand total 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation; reappropriation authority not to exceed $300,000,000. - Transfer of $275,000,000 from the general fund to dedicated highway funds (motion moved by Representative Furness; seconded by Senator Cook). Vote: Senate 8 ayes, 2 nays; House 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused; grand total 17 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: due-pass recommendation.

Key clarifications recorded in the meeting: - Committee staff and members confirmed the $100 net reduction was a technical consolidation across motions and would be reflected in the combined bill (not a change in program totals beyond that $100 consolidation). - The aeronautics language adopted requires certification that local airports are not using hangars for unauthorized non-aeronautical uses before grants are distributed. - Several items represented reappropriations or one-time federal reimbursements intended to reimburse local jurisdictions for federally allowable projects; none of the votes transferred authority to change federal conditions.

Ending: Committee leaders repeatedly urged prompt floor consideration in both chambers; they said the committee would reconvene only if either the House or Senate later killed items. The motions approved will proceed with due-pass recommendations to the floors.