Department of Lands seeks staff and one-time items; governor proposes large transfers to fire suppression fund and TPA adjustments

The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it is seeking multiple staff additions and one-time spending for fire preparedness and forest management while the governor proposed major transfers to replenish the state's fire suppression deficiency fund.

Janet Jessup, Legislative Services analyst, opened the Department of Lands presentation and said the department's budget appears in the natural resources section. She noted the department is established in Idaho statute and serves as the administrative arm of the Board of Land Commissioners. Jessup highlighted the department's long list of dedicated funds and said many receipts and uses are codified in statute.

Why it matters: The Department of Lands manages trust lands, administers fire protection on private timberlands and other trust properties, and coordinates wildfire response across districts. Committee members pressed for detail because FY2026 requests include personnel additions for the state's fire program, requests tied to Timber Protective Associations (TPAs), and changes to how Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) funds will be treated in the budget.

Fire fund transfers and suppression balance The governor's recommendation includes large transfers to the fire suppression deficiency fund. Jessup told the committee the governor recommended a $60,000,000 supplemental transfer in the current fiscal year and an additional $40,000,000 transfer from the general…