JFAC advances parks, higher-education and workforce funding; approves language and reports

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on March 11 approved additional funding and legislative language for multiple state programs, moving several budget items forward with “do pass” recommendations.

Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee that the Department of Parks and Recreation oversees Idaho’s 30 state parks and trails and that the packet on the screen showed the budget as acted on so far by JFAC. “On the screen before you, we have the Department of Parks and Recreation,” Jessup said.

The committee approved an amendment to the parks budget that adds five full‑time equivalent positions and increases spending for personnel, seasonal positions, operating costs, targeted pay increases and selected park improvements. Senator Linda Hart moved the parks motion and Representative Manwaring seconded it; the motion passed on a roll call (total 17 ayes, 3 nays). After the vote, the committee accepted language on the screen that authorizes transfers from a consolidated parks program to the capital development program for the purpose of grants.

The State Board of Education presented two items. Dr. Campbell (State Board of Education) described a one‑year supplemental for a credit‑mobility grant that runs January through December and is intended to support transferability of academic credits between institutions. The committee approved a $20,000 supplemental (miscellaneous revenue fund) by voice/roll call after a requested change; the roll call as recorded produced a majority in favor (total recorded: 17 ayes, 3 nays) and the motion goes forward as a due‑pass recommendation.

Later the committee considered a larger FY2026 package for the Office of the State Board of Education containing multiple line items — a database engineer position, cybersecurity and software contracts, vehicle replacement dollars, OITS hardware, and an ongoing public‑private workforce capacity grant. Representative Petzke moved a compromise package that included a $5,000,000 ongoing general‑fund trustee and benefit payment for a public‑private workforce capacity grant; Senator Wintrow offered a substitute motion to…