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House approves $2.7M supplemental and maintenance budget for vocational rehabilitation amid federal review
Summary
The Idaho House on March 28 passed House Bill 4-60, a maintenance and supplemental budget for the state vocational rehabilitation agency that includes payback to the federal government and funding for deaf/hard‑of‑hearing interpreter services while the agency undergoes a federal review
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho House passed House Bill 4-60 on March 28, advancing a maintenance and supplemental appropriation package for the state vocational rehabilitation agency amid an ongoing federal review.
House floor remarks said the agency underwent what was described as a federal forensic audit after federal authorities flagged some ineligible payments. Speakers on the floor said the federal government supplied about $10 million to cover immediate bills last year, and the state must match part of that amount to remain compliant.
Floor managers described components of the package: a $2.7 million supplemental appropriation to cover state matching for federal payments, a $1.7 million supplemental appropriation to repay the federal government for ineligible payments, and a maintenance budget for the coming fiscal year. The bill also includes $35,000 to provide an interpreter for the council for the deaf and hard of hearing, which is administratively housed within the rehabilitation agency.
Supporters praised the interim director’s work to stabilize the agency during a complex review. Representative, District 9 (state representative), who presented the budget on the floor, said the supplement and maintenance request are intended to close out outstanding bills and allow the agency to continue operations while documentation is gathered for the audit.
The House approved suspension of the rules for immediate consideration and then passed the bill on a roll call recorded in the transcript. The roll call recorded 49 ayes, 20 nays and 1 absent (as reported on the House floor); the House approved the title and ordered the bill transmitted to the Senate.
The transcript shows floor managers and members asked questions and raised concerns about the accuracy of previous supplemental numbers and about how the audit’s findings could affect future budgets. The passed measure provides short‑term fiscal stability while the agency and federal auditors complete their review.
