JFAC splits on college and university budget; household compromise sent to Senate after contested cuts

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on May 21 considered competing versions of the fiscal 2026 college and university budget, debating targeted reductions at Boise State University and the University of Idaho and new funding for Lewis-Clark State College and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute.

Committee analysts outlined line items including a $3,369,900 operational capacity enhancement, corrections to health-benefits and CEC calculations, an endowment funds adjustment of $1,388,700 from dedicated funds, an enrollment/workload adjustment, $387,000 general ongoing for Lewis-Clark State College salary adjustments, and $1,000,000 general ongoing for the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute.

Why it matters: members described the package as a negotiated compromise intended to clear the House floor. Lawmakers debating the motion tied some reductions and increases to policy concerns and to the committee’s leverage over institutions that receive state appropriations.

Debate and motions Representative Bryce moved the first package that included: adding the assembled line items plus a pair of $2,000,000 ongoing reductions — one from Boise State University and one from the University of Idaho — intended as a message about certain institutional practices. Senator Carlson seconded the motion.

Senator Galloway offered a substitute that removed the $2,000,000 reductions and increased the total general-fund additions. After roll-call votes the substitute failed on a 10-10 tie. Committee minutes and roll-call summaries show the substitute produced a tied 10-10 result and therefore did not pass.

The original motion then proceeded. Committee members described the original motion as a compromise between larger House requests and the Senate’s positions. Opponents warned the $2 million reductions could force program cuts or faculty layoffs; Representative Petzke said, “What we’re talking about doing here is firing professors and getting rid of programs.” Supporters framed the reductions as a limited lever tied to changes the state seeks from the institutions.

Outcome The committee chair reported that the original motion carried in combined committee counts but did not achieve a majority in the Senate delegation at the meeting. Committee summary: the substitute failed (10-10); the original motion will be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration. (Transcript roll-call summaries: substitute—10 ayes, 10 nays; original motion—passed by a combined committee majority but lacking a Senate majority at this meeting.)

Key program and funding details (as presented): - Operational capacity enhancement: +$3,369,900 (JFAC program maintenance) - Health benefits correction (FY2025): net $0 reclass (personnel +$3,900; operating -$3,900) - FY2025 CEC correction: +$3,600 - Endowment funds adjustment (dedicated): +$1,388,700 - Enrollment/workload adjustment: +$1,023,500 (original motion) / +$1,183,800 (substitute) - Lewis-Clark State College salary adjustment: +$387,000 general ongoing - Idaho Water Resources Research Institute: +$1,000,000 general ongoing - Proposed reductions (original motion): Boise State University -$2,000,000 general ongoing; University of Idaho -$2,000,000 general ongoing

Speakers and roles (names used in discussion) - Kevin Campbell, budget and policy analyst, Legislative Services Office (presented the budget) - Representative Bryce (mover of the original motion) - Sen. Carlson (second) - Sen. Galloway (mover of substitute) - Representative Petzke (opposed; asked what programs would be cut) - Coach Herrmann (responded on floor dynamics and net fiscal impacts) - Senator Cook (asked purpose of the reductions) - Representative Tanner (criticized university practices) - Representative Price (co-chair who spoke in favor of the compromise)

Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: several members argued the reductions were intended as policy leverage related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) concerns and campus actions; others warned the cuts would force program and faculty reductions and questioned effectiveness. - Direction/assignment: none formally recorded beyond moving the appropriation language and forwarding the motion to the Senate. - Formal action: the substitute failed on a tie; the committee advanced the original motion to the Senate delegation for further consideration.

Clarifying details - The committee repeatedly described the package as a compromise designed to improve the motion’s chance on the House floor. - Committee analysts and members noted that net fiscal effects on the institutions were smaller after offsets (Coach Herrmann said the net fiscal impact to Boise State would be about $600,000 and to University of Idaho about $200,000 after other gains).

What’s next The original motion and its attached language will be considered by the Senate delegation; additional floor action and final appropriations require subsequent Senate and House floor votes and reconciliation.

Proper names referenced: Boise State University; University of Idaho; Lewis-Clark State College; Idaho Water Resources Research Institute; Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee; Legislative Services Office.

Searchable tags: higher education, budget, JFAC, Boise State, University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark, water research