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 increase that grant to $15,000,000, which failed on roll call (2 ayes, 18 nays). The original compromise motion subsequently passed and will go forward as a bill with a due‑pass recommendation.

Dr. Campbell explained the approved language accompanying the education funding: it sets award criteria for the grants just approved, requests a report from the Office of the State Board of Education on credit and transcript mobility, includes sections on outcome‑based funding for higher education (separate sections for colleges/universities and community colleges), and includes reappropriation authority with conditions, limitations and restrictions. Committee co‑chair remarks noted that the committee is requesting policy recommendations from the State Board, not setting policy directly in this language.

The committee also advanced a proposal for the Division of Career Technical Education (CTE). Senator Woodward moved to add federal grant authority and to provide one‑time general funds and ongoing trustee payments to support adult education, literacy and technical colleges. The motion added $2,273,700 in federal spending authority and $10,050,000 in general‑fund authority (total approximately $12,323,700). The committee approved the motion and accepted language that describes permitted uses of the funds, requests a report on outcomes of adult‑education and literacy investments over the prior five fiscal years, and provides certain object‑transfer exemptions and conditions.

Finally, the committee approved a small one‑time general‑fund addition for the STEM Action Center to cover IT replacements. Representative Price moved the $9,900 one‑time addition; the motion passed on a roll call and will go forward with a due‑pass recommendation.

Votes at a glance

- Parks and Recreation (FY2026 JFAC maintenance amendment): Motion by Senator Linda Hart; second by Representative Manwaring. Approved. Tally recorded in committee: 17 ayes, 3 nays. Adds 5 FTE and a total of $8,135,700 (breakdown below) with an accompanying language provision allowing transfers from the consolidated parks program to the capital development program for grant purposes.

- State Board of Education supplemental — Credit Mobility grant (FY2025): Motion by Representative Petzke. Approved. Tally recorded in committee: 17 ayes, 3 nays. Amount: $20,000 (miscellaneous revenue fund); one‑year grant, Jan–Dec.

- State Board of Education FY2026 package (compromise motion): Motion by Representative Petzke. Approved after a failed substitute to increase the public‑private workforce grant. Key elements include 1 FTE (database engineer), cybersecurity/software contracts, vehicle replacements, OITS hardware, and a $5,000,000 ongoing public‑private workforce capacity grant. Outcome: Passed; will go forward with a due‑pass recommendation.

- Division of Career Technical Education (FY2026): Motion by Senator Woodward; second by Representative Miller. Approved. Adds $2,273,700 federal authority and $10,050,000 general‑fund authority (total approx. $12,323,700) including $50,000,000 listed in the motion as one‑time adult‑education support and $10,000,000 ongoing trustee payments to distribute to technical colleges. Committee accepted accompanying language and report requirements.

- STEM Action Center (FY2026): Motion by Representative Price; second by Senator Borden. Approved. Adds $9,900 one‑time from the general fund for IT replacements.

What the motions included (clarifying details)

- Parks package (mover Senator Hart): Adds 5 FTE; increases of $321,100 for park personnel; $210,000 for seasonal group positions; $195,000 for statewide operating costs; $309,100 to increase pay for targeted positions; $140,000 for an OHV‑use campaign; $4,000,000 for improvements at Bear Lake State Park; $400,000 for improvements at Lake Cascade; transfer of $23,035,600 from the management services program to park operations (program consolidation); $2,263,000 for replacement items; $197,500 for OITS hardware. Funding sources listed in the motion: $5,410,700 from dedicated funds and $2,725,000 from federal funds (total $8,135,700).

- State Board FY2026 package (Representative Petzke compromise): Adds 1 FTE (database engineer) and line items including $10,000 for a software support contract, $35,000 for cybersecurity testing, $12,500 from dedicated funds for marketing of the CTL now program, $20,000 from dedicated funds for the credit‑mobility grant, $99,000 from dedicated funds for replacement vehicles, $40,000 for OITS hardware, and $5,000,000 ongoing general fund as trustee and benefit payments for a public‑private workforce capacity grant. Representative Petzke described the motion as a compromise from the working group.

- Career Technical Education (Senator Woodward): Adds $2,273,700 in federal grant spending authority; adds $50,000,000 one‑time general funds for adult education and literacy and related programs (as written in the motion); adds $10,000,000 ongoing general fund as trustee and benefit payments to post‑secondary program distribution to technical colleges. Motion text as read: additional $10,050,000 general fund and $2,273,700 federal funds (total approximately $12,323,700).

- STEM Action Center (Representative Price): Adds $9,900 one‑time from the general fund for IT replacements.

Discussion versus decisions

- Discussion: Committee members questioned reductions and retained funds in the parks replacement line and asked staff or work‑group members to explain. Representative Furness asked specifically about the $200,000 decrease in replacement items; committee members from the work group explained the rationale that retained funds could cover replacement items in future years.

- Direction/assignment: For the education packages, the committee attached language requesting reports from the Office of the State Board of Education on credit and transcript mobility and from the State Board on outcomes of adult‑education investments, and asked for criteria and conditions tied to the grants it funded.

- Formal action: Each of the motions summarized above was voted on and recorded; successful motions were advanced with “do pass” recommendations and, where shown on the screen, committee language was accepted either by unanimous consent or by roll call.

Ending

The committee closed the hearing after approving the motions and language and set follow‑up meetings for additional work groups. Committee members thanked staff and the presenters for the work on the language and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.