JFAC considers pared college-and-university budget; DEI audit language and transparency provisions advance

A divided Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday debated competing motions to set the fiscal 2026 college-and-university appropriation, approving a compromise budget language package but splitting along chamber lines on parts of the motion and sending unresolved items to the full Senate.

The committee considered two competing motions: an initial motion offered by Representative Bryce that included targeted reductions of $2,000,000 each from Boise State University and the University of Idaho and several specific increases for Lewis-Clark State College and systemwide items; and a substitute from Senator Galloway that removed the $2,000,000 cuts and raised the total general-fund ask. After debate, the substitute tied 10–10 overall and failed; the original motion passed the committee on the floor call but did not reach a Senate majority at the roll call and, according to the chair, will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.

Why it matters: the committee’s choices set the legislature’s starting package for higher education funding and include both modest salary increases for Lewis-Clark State College and systemwide line items that back research and enrollment adjustments. The debate also surfaced policy tensions about how the Legislature should respond to university programming that some members characterized as inconsistent with state priorities.

Most important actions and detail

- Budget motions: Representative Bryce moved the fiscal 2026 JFAC program maintenance package with additions including $3,369,900 for operational capacity enhancements, $1,000,000 to the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute systemwide, $387,000 ongoing for Lewis-Clark State College salary adjustments and a net additional $1,784,000 general fund and $1,388,700 dedicated funds (total $3,172,700). That motion was seconded and debated. Senator Galloway offered a substitute that removed the $2,000,000 cuts to Boise State University and University of Idaho and increased the general-fund total. The substitute received a 10–10 tie overall and failed; the original motion was called and, while it was approved on the committee floor call, the chair stated the motion did not secure a majority in the Senate side of the joint committee and therefore will be sent to the Senate for further action. (See actions array below for motion text and outcome notes.)

- DEI audit language: The committee approved language directing the Legislative Audits Division to audit Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho for compliance with Idaho code relating to diversity, equity and inclusion and to report back to JFAC by Dec. 1, 2025. The motion to accept that language passed on the floor call with a recorded total of 17 ayes and 3 nays.

- ICOM transparency and IW RRI language: The committee accepted language that would assign lead agency status for potential ICOM negotiations to Idaho State University, direct the state board or the institution to provide requested information to the Legislative Services Office during negotiations, and prohibit state officials from entering nondisclosure agreements related to ICOM negotiations. The package also included direction and reporting requirements for the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute and language about transitioning to outcomes-based funding in higher education (implementation input through FY 2028). That language passed the committee.

- University of Phoenix recoveries language: Members debated language that would revert any funds recovered from negotiations related to the University of Phoenix purchase to the general fund. That motion failed on committee floor roll call and will not be included in the appropriation package.

What members said

- Representative Bryce (motion maker) framed the compromise as a path likely to advance on the House floor and highlighted funding targeted to Lewis-Clark State College to bring starting salaries more in line with K–12 starting teacher pay.

- Representative Petzke asked what programs or positions would be cut if Boise State and U of I were required to absorb $2,000,000 reductions; the analyst and motion makers replied that institutions would determine specific cuts.

- Senator Herrmann and others defended the approach as “pragmatic” and said the reductions were intended as a negotiated message about institutional direction, particularly on DEI programming. Senator Herrmann said, “I am using the word pragmatic.”

- Senator Galloway, in favor of the substitute, urged the committee not to continue punitive reductions after seeing institutional changes, and said she feared repeated punishment would erode the Legislature’s leverage.

Next steps and ending

The committee’s college-and-university budget language and related policy provisions will be transmitted according to the joint rules: language approved by the joint committee will proceed to each chamber as part of the omnibus budget package. Several portions—most notably the original motion’s reductions—remain unresolved for the Senate side, per the committee roll call announcements, and will require further action in the Senate. The DEI audit requirement and the ICOM/IWRRI reporting language were accepted by the committee and will be part of the package sent forward.