JFAC debates cuts to universities, approves oversight language and DEI audit

Chairing the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on behalf of both co-chairs, legislators debated a pair of competing budget motions for the fiscal year 2026 college and university budget and approved several pieces of accompanying oversight language.

The committee considered a motion introduced by Representative Bryce that would add $3,369,900 for operational capacity enhancement, make technical corrections to health benefits and CEC calculations, add dedicated endowment adjustments of $1,388,700, provide $387,000 ongoing to Lewis‑Clark State College for salary adjustments, and add $1,000,000 ongoing systemwide for operating expenditures for the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI). The motion also reduced general‑fund ongoing support for Boise State University and the University of Idaho by $2,000,000 each. Representative Bryce identified the Lewis‑Clark adjustment as intended to bring early‑career starting pay closer to K‑12 public school teacher averages for a small college that lacks property‑tax support and large research grants.

A substitute motion by Senator Galloway kept the enhancements but removed the $2,000,000 reductions to Boise State and the University of Idaho and adjusted the enrollment workload and endowment lines. That substitute recorded a tied overall vote (10–10) and therefore failed. The committee then took the original motion; the Senate delegations did not achieve a majority, so the motion was not adopted by the joint committee at that time and was routed to the Senate for further consideration.

Debate focused heavily on policy concerns rather than only dollars. Several members described the university reductions as a signal tied to past programming for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); Representative Petzke and others asked specifically what programmatic cuts would result from the $2,000,000 reductions and were told the institutions themselves would decide how to absorb base reductions. Representative Petzke reported receiving a message from the University of Idaho suggesting early‑stage agricultural mining programs could be targeted if cuts were imposed. Representative Tanner and others framed their support as enforcing legislative direction to institutions, including prior budget language restricting use of appropriated funds for DEI work, while Senator Galloway urged caution about using repeated budgetary punishment after institutions had begun making changes.

The committee voted separately on several pieces of policy language tied to the college and university budget: - Transparency and oversight language: the committee approved language assigning lead negotiation responsibility to Idaho State University for any negotiations regarding the purchase of the University of Phoenix, requiring that Idaho State University or the Office of the State Board of Education provide information on request to Legislative Services, and prohibiting state officers, board members or employees from entering non‑disclosure agreements related to those negotiations. - Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI): the committee approved the $1,000,000 systemwide operating line and added reporting requirements directing the IWRRI director to submit interim and final expenditure reports to JFAC. - Transition to outcomes‑based funding: language was approved to give JFAC and the legislature opportunity to provide input before full implementation of outcomes‑based higher‑education funding in FY2028. - DEI audits: the committee approved language directing the Legislative Audits Division to audit Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis‑Clark State College and the University of Idaho for compliance with Idaho code relating to diversity, equity and inclusion and to report back to JFAC by Dec. 1, 2025.

A final, separate language item proposing that any funds recovered from negotiations related to the purchase of the University of Phoenix be reverted to the general fund was moved and discussed but did not pass the joint body.

Why it matters: the committee’s motions combine technical corrections, targeted salary support for a smaller college, and dollar reductions tied to policy concerns about DEI and institutional governance. Members on both sides described the actions as partly pragmatic (to pass a budget) and partly symbolic (to signal expectations to campus leadership). Several approved reporting and audit requirements increase legislative oversight of campus activities and spending.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the college and university portion of the agenda and include the analyst who presented the budget and the legislators who moved, seconded, and debated the motions. Direct quotes are taken from the committee transcript and are attributed to the speakers listed below.

"This is a pragmatic solution to try and move a budget off of our floor," said Representative Horman, explaining the negotiation intent behind reductions and offsets.

"They operate in some ways like a community college but don't have the benefit of property taxes nor do they have the benefit of significant research dollars," said Representative Price of Lewis‑Clark State College when explaining the requested salary adjustment.

Ending: The budget motions and package language advanced parts of the committee’s oversight agenda — audit authority and reporting requirements — but the central compromise motion that included the $2,000,000 reductions did not secure a joint‑committee majority and was sent to the Senate for further consideration. Separate policy work on outcomes‑based funding and oversight of IWRRI was advanced in the adopted language.

Votes at a glance: - Substitute motion (Senator Galloway): failed 10–10 (tie) - Original motion (Representative Bryce): did not achieve majority in the Senate delegation; referred to Senate for further action - Transparency, IWRRI reporting, outcomes‑based funding language: approved (voice/roll calls recorded in transcript) - DEI audit language (audit of BSU, ISU, LCSC, U of I): approved (17 ayes, 3 nays)