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JFAC approves $30 million ongoing for water projects and adopts transfer and reappropriation language for Department of Water Resources
Summary
Committee approved the governor's recommended $30 million ongoing for water infrastructure, associated transfers into the Water Management Fund, and language granting reappropriation authority for ARPA and State Fiscal Recovery funds.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved a package for the Department of Water Resources that includes the governor's recommendation of $30,000,000 ongoing for water infrastructure projects and adopted legislative language to authorize transfers and reappropriation of certain funds.
Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the governor proposed $30 million as an ongoing appropriation to be transferred from the General Fund to the Water Management Fund, a continuously appropriated account used by the Idaho Water Resource Board and the Department of Water Resources for infrastructure and grant projects. Representative Manwaring moved the FY2026 package, which included $716,000 shifted from the revolving development fund and multiple technology and replacement items; the motion summary reported an additional $31,097,700 from the General Fund and four additional FTEs for FY2026. The motion passed with a combined committee vote of 15 ayes and 5 nays.
Committee members then considered language to effect the $30 million cash transfer and to provide reappropriation authority for ARPA and State Fiscal Recovery monies. Janet Jessup told the committee the reappropriation authority is intended so the Department will have the cash and permission to spend those monies as projects reach invoice dates. Representative Ben Wray moved to adopt the language; the motion passed with a roll call reported as 18 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent/excused.
The committee also approved filing-fee language for adjudication and standard conditions, limitations and restrictions tied to the motions by unanimous consent.
Ending: The committee forwarded the $30 million ongoing appropriation and the related transfer and reappropriation language to the floors with due-pass recommendations; members noted the ongoing nature of the $30 million would make it part of the FY2027 base budget unless the legislature later amends it.
