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 civil commitment/community hospitalization expenditures. Motion carried (19 ayes, 1 nay). Motion maker: Representative Furniss.

- State Hospital West forecast adjustment (FY2025): Approved a one-time transfer shifting $2,206,900 from federal funds to cooperative-welfare dedicated funds for State Hospital West. Motion carried (19 ayes, 0 nays). Motion maker: Representative Galaviz.

- State Hospital South forecast adjustment (FY2025): Approved a one-time net change (increase of $1,000,000 general fund and $3,859,700 dedicated; reduction of $4,859,700 federal funds) for State Hospital South to reflect revenue classification changes tied to managed care. Motion carried (20 ayes, 0 nays). Motion maker: Representative Galaviz.

- Transfer-limit exemption and appropriation language for several behavioral-health budgets: The committee accepted language across multiple behavioral-health motions to allow limited transfers between expense classes and to add conditions/limitations (unanimous consent when presented).

- Idaho Public Television (FY2026): Approved an additional $342,400 from the general fund for replacement items and the network operations center. Motion carried (16 ayes, 4 nays). Motion maker: Senator Galloway.

- Soil and Water Conservation Commission (FY2026): Approved $1,040,500 (one-time $1,000,000 grants + $40,500 vehicle replacement), including reappropriation authority for some conservation programs. Motion carried (18 ayes, 2 nays). Motion maker: Vice Chair Miller.

- Idaho State Liquor Division (FY2026): Approved a package of dedicated-fund enhancements and replacement items totaling $1,521,700 (includes temporary-staff pay adjustment, document system, website ADA updates and replacement items). Motion carried (14 ayes, 6 nays). Motion maker: Senator Ward Engelking.

- Department of Labor: An original motion to add $7,330,000 for unemployment insurance operations failed in initial voting. Later, committee members passed an accounting-transfer motion to move $4,868,000 from the Unemployment Security Administration and Reimbursement Fund to the Employment Security Fund to correct FY2024 accounting errors; that corrective transfer motion passed (18 ayes, 0 nays). Motion maker (transfer): Representative Handy.

- Secretary of State (FY2026): The committee approved maintenance and several enhancements (including partial double-fill for a deputy business director and IT/subscription items). The committee discussion removed a separate policy-dependent voter guide request; the tally recorded the committee’s recommendation to advance the budget package.

- Other agency and technical items: The committee approved routine replacement-item requests and ITS-recommended hardware items for: Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired ($28,900 general fund IT hardware), Brand Inspection (replacement vehicles and laptops — $289,200 dedicated), Commission of Pardons and Parole (IT replacement items, $12,600 general fund), Idaho Lottery (ITS hardware, $176,700 dedicated), and a technical net-zero personnel/operating correction for Division of Veteran Services that the committee approved.

Discussion highlights and concerns: several committee members repeatedly raised implementation and oversight questions about how rate increases flow to direct-care workers (Medicaid personal-care workforce), whether ombudsman positions remain necessary as foster-care programs are restructured, and how federal-rebate programs should be structured and administered in Idaho. Representative and senator comments asked the department for follow-up reporting, particularly on whether rate changes actually increase caregiver compensation.

Ending note: Committee members repeatedly accepted language clarifying limitations on federal funds and reporting requirements tied to federal grants. Several items were recorded as unanimously consented language additions; others passed with recorded roll-call tallies. The committee adjourned after a full slate of votes and instructions for staff follow-up.

Votes detail (selected motions with roll-call tallies and quick notes): - Idaho Public Television — +$342,400 general fund (replacement items & NOC): Passed 16–4. (Motion text, mover: Senator Galloway; see transcript excerpt.) - Soil & Water Conservation Commission — +$1,040,500 general fund (vehicle + $1M grants; reappropriation authority): Passed 18–2. (Mover: Rep. Miller.) - Department of Health & Welfare (IBHP FY25) — +$6,743,800 federal: Passed 15–5. (Mover: Rep. Furniss.) - Mental Health Services (FY26 federal grant increases) — +$261,400 federal: Passed (recorded tallies show 18 ayes). (Mover: Senator Cook.) - Psychiatric Hospitalization (community hospitalization FY25) — +$2,663,500 general fund: Passed 19–1. (Mover: Rep. Furniss.) - State Hospital West (FY25) — fund shift: Passed unanimous on roll call (19–0 reported). (Mover: Senator Wintrow/Rep. Galaviz motioned.) - State Hospital South (FY25) — net fund reclassification: Passed unanimous (20–0). (Mover: Rep. Galaviz.) - Department of Labor — initial UI operations request failed in committee voting; later corrective accounting transfer of $4,868,000 passed 18–0 (motion by Rep. Handy). - Idaho State Liquor Division enhancements & replacements — +$1,521,700 dedicated: Passed 14–6. (Mover: Senator Ward Engelking.)

Provenance (selected transcript evidence): - Topic intro (IBHP FY25 request): excerpt: "this first supplemental is for fiscal year 2025. It relates to the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan or IBHP... the appropriation for those funds expired... the agency is asking for the appropriation to spend those unused funds." (transcript timestamp ~1657–1712) - Topic finish (IBHP vote outcome): roll-call and tally: "Grand total of 15 ayes, 5 nays... majority having voted in the affirmative." (transcript timestamp ~1799–1811) - Topic intro (State Hospital community hospitalization request): excerpt: "the division is requesting a 1 time appropriation of $2,600,000 from general funds... related to increased costs... mental hold and commitment services." (transcript timestamp ~2157–2185) - Topic finish (State Hospital community hospitalization vote): roll-call and tally: "Total of 19 ayes, 1 nays... majority having voted in the affirmative." (transcript timestamp ~2270–2281)

Not included: ceremonial remarks and roll-call procedural niceties. Committee staff were directed to follow up on several reporting requests required by members (direct-care workforce report, transfer cost tracking and further language clarifications).