JFAC splits on higher-education budget; orders DEI audits and oversight language

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on the morning of the session debated multiple amendments to the fiscal year 2026 college and university budget, including a contentious proposal to cut $2 million each from Boise State University and the University of Idaho and a companion substitute that sought to remove those cuts.

Kevin Campbell, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, opened the item with a summary of the line items under consideration and the committee’s options, telling the committee it was reviewing the college and university budget and the set of requested line items before them.

Representative Bryce moved a compromise package that would add $3,369,900 for operational capacity enhancements, make technical corrections for health benefits and the CEC calculation, provide $1,388,700 from dedicated funds for endowment adjustments and add salary funding for Lewis‑Clark State College, while reducing $2,000,000 each from Boise State and the University of Idaho. “I move for fiscal year 2026 for the college and universities an additional 1,784,000 from the general fund an additional 1,388,700 from dedicated funds for a…