Department of Lands asks for staff and program funding as governor recommends large transfers to fire suppression fund

The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee it needs additional staff, continued funding for fire and forest programs and clearer long‑term funding for fire suppression as the governor proposed large transfers to the fire suppression deficiency fund and $1 million in firefighter bonuses for Department of Lands personnel.

Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, said the Department of Lands is one of 20 executive departments established in state law and serves as the administrative arm of the Board of Land Commissioners. She said the department’s budget includes dozens of dedicated funds and that the largest single dedicated fund is the Department of Lands Fund, which receives statutory receipts from multiple sources.

Jessup described the fire suppression deficiency warrant fund, which is continuously appropriated and historically has been prefunded by the legislature since 2015 rather than waiting until deficiency warrants are requested after a big fire season. The governor’s recommendation included transfers the committee heard would bolster that account: a $60,000,000 supplemental transfer for the current year and an additional $40,000,000 transfer from the general…