Compensation proposals for state employees discussed, multiple motions withdrawn and deferred

Committee members debated several competing proposals to change employee compensation for FY2026, including a CEC committee recommendation and at least one substitute crafted by Senate members.

Representative Furnace introduced the CEC package as a motion that would provide $1.55 per hour for permanent state employees (equivalent to a higher percentage for lower-paid workers), incorporate an 8% trooper pay increase at Idaho State Police, a $1.55-or-3% increase for nursing and healthcare workers (whichever is greater), and a 4.5% market increase for classified IT and engineering positions. Members later amended the original motion on the record to include non-classified IT and engineering staff (for entities such as the Secretary of State, Controller, Attorney General, Legislative Services and the courts) and corrected totals; the adjusted totals were read into the record by the mover.

Senator Cook offered a substitute motion that would increase ongoing annual salary by $1.55 per hour or 4%, whichever is higher, with the same targeted increases for troopers, nursing staff and IT/engineering positions; Cook’s motion removed a redundant phrase and set a different funding total.

After extended debate (members discussed equity, merit pay, impacts on lower-paid workers, and the effect of raising wages on the private sector), both principal motions were withdrawn by unanimous consent to allow staff time to rework and reissue motion language and numbers. Committee leaders said they planned to remove the compensation items from the maintenance budget work for the day, complete other maintenance items, and return to compensation after staff had time to reformat and circulate corrected materials.

No final compensation decision was adopted in the transcript excerpt; members agreed to reconvene and to consider revised motions at a later session.