Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appropriations Revenue Corrections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
JFAC adopts $6.4 billion FY2026 revenue forecast; approves corrections appropriations and community‑corrections budget
Summary
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee adopted a $6.4 billion FY2026 general fund revenue number and approved three corrections‑related budget measures including a body‑worn camera pilot and community reentry personnel annualization; all three measures received votes to move forward.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee voted to adopt the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee's recommended FY2026 general fund revenue number of $6,400,000,000 and approved two Department of Correction budget items, the committee announced after roll‑call votes.
The revenue forecast passed with a combined committee total of 16 ayes, 2 nays and 2 absent/excused. A member of the committee moved the measure and Senator Galloway seconded. Senator Janie Ward‑Engleking publicly announced she would vote no, saying she prefers setting revenue projections earlier in the session.
Noah Peterson, budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, presented two Department of Correction items that the committee approved after separate motions. The first was a one‑time supplemental to implement a federally funded body‑worn camera pilot in the state prisons division. The motion, moved by Senator Wintrow and seconded by Representative Manwaring, described a one‑time addition of $27,000 from the general fund and $1,023,900 from federal funds for a total of $1,058,900 to begin the pilot; the committee recorded a final vote of 15 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent/excused and recommended the item be given a "do pass" recommendation.
The second corrections item was for the Community Corrections Division to annualize personnel costs at the Pocatello Community Reentry Center and to fund inflation and replacement items. Representative Manwaring moved the enhancement package (seconded by Senator Wintrow), which the motion described as an additional $116,200 from the general fund and $2,350,800 from dedicated funds for a total of $2,467,000 for FY2026. The committee recorded a combined vote of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused; the item was also recommended "do pass."
On the revenue forecast, a committee official observed that while collections were running slightly behind the forecast, general fund revenues remained higher than the previous year, projected at about 2.9% growth; the presenter said April and June remain the largest revenue months and that additional data could affect final collections.
The committee adjourned with plans for further group work later in the week and to reconvene for additional votes on Friday.
