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JFAC approves $644,400 for Idaho State Liquor Division enhancements
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $644,400 in dedicated funds for the Idaho State Liquor Division in FY2026 to cover pay increases for temporary retail clerks, shrink-wrap freight costs, website accessibility work and replacement IT/security items.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to add $644,400 in dedicated funds for the Idaho State Liquor Division’s FY2026 budget to fund several operational enhancements.
Kellen McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the division requested seven enhancements totaling $1,721,700 in dedicated funds for FY2026. McGurkin said the package included a $57,400 ongoing increase to raise part‑time retail staff pay from $15.00 to $15.45 per hour, one‑time IT and security replacements, and upgrades to bring the division’s website into compliance with accessibility standards.
The committee’s motion, made by Senator Carlson and seconded by Representative Tanner, bundled enhancement 1 (temporary clerk pay), enhancement 4 (shrink‑wrap freight costs), the website accessibility work, replacement‑item funding for retail stores and ITS hardware and security replacement items into a single $644,400 dedicated‑fund increase. Senator Wintrow, who said she was likely to support the motion, urged caution because these are dedicated funds and the liquor operation is a state‑run business. Senator Ziderfeld questioned whether government should operate the liquor business at all, noting only 17 states maintain government‑controlled liquor systems.
The motion passed on a combined committee vote. The Senate vote was recorded as 7 ayes, 2 nays and 1 absent excused; the House vote was 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 absent excused, for a combined total of 15 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent excused. Without objection the motion carries a due‑pass recommendation to the floor.
The approved items are intended to cover ongoing pay for part‑time retail clerks, new shrink‑wrap freight requirements, website accessibility upgrades procured through a bidding process, replacement of retail‑store fixtures and equipment, and ITS hardware/security items recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services. McGurkin told the committee temporary retail staff turnover runs “around 80%,” and that temporary staff do not receive annual CEC adjustments.
The committee did not alter the statutory distribution of liquor profits; members framed the vote as funding the division to carry out its existing statutory duties rather than a policy change.
