JFAC approves multiple behavioral-health and agency budget adjustments; smaller items pass after lengthy session

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on Friday approved a series of supplemental appropriations, fund shifts and one-time replacement-item requests across multiple state agencies, with the committee’s votes focused heavily on behavioral health and psychiatric hospitalization funding and several smaller agency budget maintenance items.

The committee approved federal and state funding to finish implementation work tied to the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan and passed several forecast and fund-shift adjustments for State Hospital West and South. Members also approved replacement- and enhancement-level requests for agencies including Idaho Public Television, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Idaho State Liquour Division. A separate Department of Labor request initially failed and was later corrected by an accounting transfer motion that passed.

Why it matters: the spending and transfer motions adopted on Friday provide execution authority for federal grants, allow agencies to shift appropriations between fund sources, and add one-time replacement items (vehicles, IT hardware and network equipment) that agencies said are required to maintain operations. Several of the adopted items are linked to federal grant awards and require condition language the committee also accepted.

What the committee did (votes at a glance):

- Idaho Behavioral Health Plan (FY2025 cooperative welfare federal funds): Approved a one-time appropriation of $6,743,800 to the Department of Health and Welfare for Idaho Behavioral Health Plan contract implementation. Motion carried (15 ayes, 5 nays). Motion maker: Representative Furniss. Evidence: committee discussion of IBHP grants and contract delays and the motion language (transcript excerpts shown below).

- Mental Health Services (FY2026 federal grant increase): Approved $261,400 in federal funds for the Division of Mental Health Services (IBHP federal grant increases). Motion carried (18 ayes, 0 nays recorded on committee tally). Motion maker: Senator Cook.

- Psychiatric Hospitalization — community civil-commitment expenditures (FY2025): Approved a one-time general fund addition of $2,663,500 for…