Idaho State president says forensic lab funds will be returned; outlines FY2026 budget request and student‑success priorities

Idaho State University President Rob Wagner told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 that the university will return remaining funds tied to a proposed Eastern Idaho forensic pathology lab and that an audit has been requested to ensure legislative intent was followed.

Kevin Campbell, a budget analyst with the Legislative Services Office, opened the ISU presentation with a budget overview and said the office had prepared a report on the pathology lab matter and that an audit is now in process. Campbell also reviewed ISU’s FY2026 budget request and noted a technical error on the tuition and fees slide; he said the underlying Treasury balances show ISU had not overdrawn its account.

Why it matters: the committee emphasized that legislative appropriations carry legal intent and that state oversight of how agencies and institutions use appropriated dollars…