JFAC votes: funding adjustments, replacements and language packages advance; several measures split

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) took a series of votes on replacement items, supplemental appropriations and budget language during a multi-hour session that ranged across public television, conservation grants, behavioral health, psychiatric hospitalization, the Department of Labor and multiple constitutional officers. Most motions carried; a few drew divided tallies or procedural questions and will move to further consideration.

The committee approved a routine replacement and small enhancement package for Idaho Public Television, including a network operations center request, with the motion passing on a roll call (16 ayes, 4 nays). The Soil and Water Conservation Commission received a one-time $1,040,500 package for a vehicle and $1,000,000 in water-quality grants; that motion carried (18 ayes, 2 nays).

Several behavioral-health and psychiatric-hospitalization requests were approved. The committee gave a due-pass recommendation to the Department of Health and Welfare for a $6.74 million federal appropriation to implement the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan (IBHP) contract (motion passed, committee tally recorded as 15 ayes, 5 nays). Separately, the panel approved FY2026 federal grant increases tied to IBHP and multiple forecast and fund-shift adjustments for State Hospital East/West/South; most of those motions carried on recorded votes or by unanimous consent.

The Division of Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention received an appropriation realignment between dedicated and federal funds; the motion passed after roll-call (15 ayes, 5 nays). The committee also adopted language addressing limits and conditions on federal behavioral-health funds by unanimous…