JFAC approves community college increases, debates $2.5M library digital‑access grant; multiple budget motions advance

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on March 7 approved several budget motions affecting Idaho community colleges, corrections and commerce programs, and debated but did not pass a proposed $2.5 million "Digital Access for All Idahoans" grant for public libraries.

Community colleges

JFAC approved additional FY2026 general‑fund enrollment workload adjustments for Idaho’s community colleges. Representative Pesky moved, and Senator Ward Engleking seconded, an amendment to add $496,800 ongoing for the College of Eastern Idaho, $690,000 ongoing for the College of Southern Idaho, and $493,000 ongoing for the College of Western Idaho — a combined $1,679,800 from the general fund. The motion passed on a roll call of 19 ayes, 1 nay (Senate 9–1; House 10–0). Committee language accompanying the motion directs the State Board of Education to develop an outcome‑based funding model and return a proposal to JFAC by Dec. 31, 2025, with an implementation target of FY2028.

Senators and representatives framed the vote as an effort to relieve wait lists at community colleges and to avoid penalizing North Idaho College for a "backwards‑looking" enrollment workload adjustment formula. "We didn't want to hold them to that 3% cap; we wanted to give them the full benefit that they earned for their enrollment workload adjustment," Representative Pesky said during the motion’s explanation.

Libraries and the digital‑access grant debate

A motion to add $2,582,400 in FY2026 for the Idaho Commission for Libraries — including $2,500,000 for the Digital Access for All Idahoans grant — prompted extended debate focused on the source and intended uses of the federal funds and whether grant criteria included diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) elements.

Senator Carlson offered a substitute motion to remove the $2.5 million grant, arguing that "the 2,500,000.0 is funding more DEI and the legislature has taken a stand against DEI programs." Senator Cook and others disputed that characterization and described the grant’s local uses. "This money is for digital training for our seniors to realize how to use the computers. It's for large printed books for our seniors. It's for devices for your local libraries... it's used for cyber security," Senator Cook said, urging caution about clawing back federal funds already distributed locally.

Committee staff identified the federal source as the Digital Equity Act. Votes on the substitute and the original motion produced mixed results in the two‑chamber committee: after roll calls the Senate and House did not reach consistent majorities on the substitute and later the original motion failed to carry an affirmative majority in the House. The clerks recorded final totals that left the original library funding motion without the House majority needed for passage at this meeting; the item was marked to be taken up at a later date.

Commerce

A net‑zero program transfer moving one full‑time position and $140,900 to the broadband office from another Commerce program was moved by Representative Handy and seconded by Senator Bierke. The committee approved the transfer unanimously (Senate 10–0; House 10–0), carrying a due‑pass recommendation.

Juvenile and adult corrections

JFAC approved several corrections‑related budget items. For the Department of Juvenile Corrections, the committee approved a motion that added a $300,000 ongoing general‑fund enhancement for substance‑use disorder residential treatment, dedicated‑fund IT items, and a net reduction of seven full‑time equivalent positions tied to an IT modernization reclassification and transfer. The motion passed 15 ayes, 5 nays.

For the Department of Corrections, the committee approved enhancements that included a $1,000,000 ongoing recidivism case‑management software item, transparency software funding, IT replacement items and an $85,000 ongoing allocation tied to a governor's initiative for a special assistant U.S. attorney in Northern Idaho. That motion passed on a 15–5 vote and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

Procedure and next steps

Clerks and co‑chairs noted procedural confusion during the meeting about how to treat motions that carry a majority on one chamber but not the other; leadership reported guidance from legal advisers will require some failed motions to be returned to JFAC for reconsideration. Committee co‑chairs said items that do not secure consistent committee majorities may be brought back to JFAC for further action rather than being sent directly to one chamber.

Votes at a glance

- Community colleges enrollment workload adjustments — Passed; total 19 ayes, 1 nay (Senate 9–1; House 10–0). Action: add $1,679,800 ongoing general fund for FY2026 across three colleges; language directing outcome‑based model by 12/31/2025.

- Idaho Commission for Libraries — Original motion (including $2.5M digital access grant): Failed to secure House majority at this meeting (total 11 ayes, 9 nays across committee); to be revisited.

- Commerce broadband program transfer — Passed unanimously; total 20 ayes, 0 nays. Net 0 transfer, 1 FTP and $140,900 moved to broadband office.

- Department of Juvenile Corrections — Passed; total 15 ayes, 5 nays. Add $300,000 ongoing general fund for SUD residential treatment; reduction of 7 FTEs tied to IT modernization; dedicated‑fund replacement items approved.

- Department of Corrections (Management Services) — Passed; total 15 ayes, 5 nays. Add recidivism case management software ($1,000,000 ongoing) and additional transparency/IT items; $85,000 ongoing for a special assistant U.S. attorney in Northern Idaho.

Clerks said schedule changes mean some items will be taken up again in future JFAC meetings; committee members were asked to expect additional workgroup and committee sessions in the coming days.