JFAC approves $177.4 million CEC package and signs off technical fixes to maintenance bills

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to add a $177,429,100 change‑in‑employee‑compensation package to FY2026 maintenance bills and approved a set of technical language corrections to previously adopted maintenance bill provisions.

The package provides $84,411,100 to implement a $1.55 per hour minimum increase for state agency and institution permanent employees, $2,305,700 for community colleges, $6,042,800 for salary schedule adjustments for those at pay‑grade minimums, and $84,669,500 for public schools and the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind. The total includes $128,354,900 from the general fund, $34,266,900 from dedicated funds and $14,807,300 from federal funds, for a combined $177,429,100.

Keith Bybee, Division Manager, Budget Policy Analysis, summarized the package and the conforming language for the committee, saying the motion “directs that employees shall receive pay increases between a dollar 5 per hour and $1.55 per hour except in specific circumstances outlined in paragraphs 2 through 5” and described reporting requirements for agencies and the Division of Human Resources to track pay changes.

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