JFAC approves behavioral-health budget changes, adds federal grant spending and fund-shift language

Senators and representatives on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a package of supplemental and FY2026 budget adjustments on Friday that moves federal grant dollars into the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan and shifts certain psychiatric hospitalization funds between federal, dedicated and general funds. Committee members also adopted language to allow specified transfers across expenditure classes in the Department of Health and Welfare under Idaho Code 67-35-11.

The committee voted to appropriate $6,743,800 one time from Cooperative Welfare federal funds to support contract implementation of the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. The motion passed on the floor with a recorded committee outcome of 15 ayes, 5 nays. The committee also approved a FY2026 federal increase of $261,400 for the division of mental health services (18 ayes, 0 nays).

Separately, the committee approved several supplemental actions for psychiatric hospitalization. It added $2,663,500 one time from general fund dollars for community hospitalization civil-commitment expenditures (vote: 19 ayes, 1 nay). Forecast adjustments and fund shifts at the state hospitals were approved…