Senate approves $9.1 million supplemental for military division and hazardous‑materials response

The Idaho Senate on Feb. 28 passed Senate Bill 11‑30, a supplemental appropriations bill that provides $9,117,100 in additional funding to the Military Division for fiscal year 2026 and a series of transfers and appropriations aimed at emergency response, public‑safety communications and hazardous‑materials cleanup.

Sponsor Senator Ward Engle King summarized the bill’s components: a cash transfer of $8,600,000 to support the state emergency relief fund and the hazardous‑materials regional response teams; an additional appropriation of $540,000 for public‑safety communications support; $759,200 for IT maintenance and licensing; and a $34,200 cash transfer from the general fund to the hazardous‑substance emergency response fund to reimburse cleanup costs across the state. The sponsor framed the appropriation as sustaining combat and domestic readiness through the Idaho National Guard and funding Office of Emergency Management functions.

Debate on the floor was brief. Opponents registered votes against the bill on fiscal‑principle grounds; Senator Zito announced a recorded nay. The roll call showed 21 yes, 12 no and 2 absent or excused; the chair announced the bill had passed by the affirmative majority. The title was approved and the bill will be transmitted to the House.

Sponsor materials accompanying the bill and the floor explanation referenced maintenance, replacement items, IT billing adjustments and reimbursements for hazardous‑materials incidents. The bill will be implemented by the Military Division in coordination with Office of Emergency Management functions.