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JFAC approves Idaho State Police supplements and FY2026 enhancements including pay adjustment for troopers and forensics staff
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved Idaho State Police supplemental spending and FY2026 package changes that include a remote housing unit, transfers to forensics, vehicle and equipment replacement, and a targeted 6% pay increase for commissioned officers and forensic staff.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a package of Idaho State Police supplemental and FY2026 budget changes Tuesday that includes a one-time remote housing unit, personnel adjustments, large replacement-equipment appropriations and a targeted 6% pay adjustment for commissioned officers and forensic staff.
Remote housing and supplemental items The committee agreed to a FY2025 one-time appropriation of $268,100 from the general fund for a remote housing unit to be placed on a foundation in Fairfield; the governor had recommended the item and ISP notified officials of construction-plan changes in December. Senator Carlson moved the remote-housing supplemental; Representative Handy seconded. The committee approved the item (combined committees: 17 ayes, 2 nays, 2 absent/excused) and will forward a due-pass recommendation.
FY2026 package and major changes Analyst Noah Peterson summarized multiple ISP items: conversion of part-time fleet-service positions to full time, a special investigations unit to handle crimes at Idaho Department of Correction facilities (4 FTE), a forensic deputy lab manager (1 FTE), a fund shift that moves $5,205,800 from the Idaho Law Enforcement Fund to the general fund, reallocation of digital-forensics personnel into the forensics program, IT disaster-recovery work, and a large set of replacement items primarily for vehicles (total replacement items requested $5,090,700).
Senator Woodward moved the consolidated ISP FY2026 package, which included a reduction of 8 FTE overall, shifting some personnel across programs, adding IT hardware, and a targeted 6% salary increase for commissioned officers and forensic staff (total net increase $8,065,700 after shifts). Representative Furness seconded. The motion passed in committee: Senate 9 ayes, 1 nay; House 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused — combined total 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent/excused.
Analyst and member notes - Peterson told the committee that the replacement-item total is driven largely by vehicle purchases and includes body armor and firearms among other supplies. He also noted IT hardware replacement amounts recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services. - Senator Woodward, when moving the consolidated package, observed that the highway-distribution fund shift (a recurring annual change) is in its final year and reflected work-group agreements.
Post Academy The committee also approved Post Academy items grouped under ISP: converting a technical-records specialist from part time to full time (net 0.33 FTE), replacement of a 15‑passenger van and a half-ton pickup, and IT hardware replacement. Senator Wintrow moved the post-academy motion; Representative Manwaring seconded. The motion passed (combined total 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent/excused).
Next steps The motions will be forwarded with due-pass recommendations. Committee language also directed the POST working group to report on a series of academy/credentialing issues; committee members asked analysts to provide further detail on equipment lists and implementation timing where appropriate.
