Committee weighs making Digital Access for All Idahoans grant part of base budget

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 12 heard from the Idaho Commission for Libraries about its FY2026 budget request, including a $2,500,000 ongoing request to continue the Digital Access for All Idahoans program funded through federal grants.

The request would make an annual $2.5 million appropriation part of the state base to support subgrants and staff implementing a federally funded initiative designed to expand digital skills, devices and navigation services. Brooke Dupree, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the commission "received, and I have the number here, just over $6,000,000 for the Digital Access for All Idahoans grant, and they're able to spend that over 5 years." She noted the commission expects additional notices of award that could extend spending authority through 2032.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed agency staff on whether a federal, time-limited grant should be rolled into the state's ongoing base budget. Senators raised concerns that making a program permanent in the base creates an…