Joint finance committee approves multiple FY2026 budget items, adopts language directives

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted March 20 to approve a slate of supplemental appropriations, FY2026 enhancements and bill language for several state agencies, advancing the measures to carry "due pass" recommendations to the legislature.

The committee approved motions covering the Idaho State Liquor Division, Department of Finance, Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), Idaho Commission for Libraries, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Fish and Game and others. Several motions included statutory or reporting language requiring agencies to submit status reports to the committee by specified dates.

Why it matters: The votes set funding levels and reporting requirements that will guide agency operations in FY2026 and, in some cases, require the agencies to deliver reports to the committee to justify continued funding or explain program impacts.

Key outcomes at a glance (motion summaries and final tallies):

- Idaho State Liquor Division: Committee approved an additional $644,400 from dedicated funds to fund selected FY2026 enhancements (pay increase for part-time retail staff, shrink-wrap, web accessibility work, selected replacement items and ITS hardware). Motion by Senator Carlson; second by Representative Tanner. Final combined committee tally: 15 ayes, 4 nays, 1 absent excused. Outcome: approved (due pass recommendation).

- Department of Finance: Committee approved adding 4…