JFAC approves four new examiner positions for Department of Finance to bolster IT and forensic capacity

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved funding for four full‑time examiner positions and IT hardware for the Department of Finance in FY2026, citing growing cybersecurity and fraud concerns.

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, explained the Department of Finance has one program with three bureaus: Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance and Securities. The requests included specialized examiners with IT and cyber competency and one forensic accounting specialist. The department requested five enhancements that totaled six FTP; the committee approved four additional FTEs and accompanying funding.

Representative Furness moved the maintenance budget additions: one IT examiner for the Financial Institutions Bureau, one additional financial institutions examiner, two positions for the Consumer Finance Bureau (focused on IT examination), one cyber/cybersecurity‑focused examiner for the Securities Bureau and a forensic accounting examiner. The motion included $52,600 for IT hardware as recommended by ITS and specified a net increase of four FTEs and $642,800 from dedicated funds for FY2026. Senator Cook seconded the motion.

Members noted rising cyber fraud losses and the need for additional investigative capacity; one member cited FBI data about fraud losses in Idaho and urged the new positions to help address those harms. On roll call, the motion passed with a combined committee total of 15 ayes and 5 nays. The committee forwarded a due‑pass recommendation.

Ending: The Department of Finance will receive the approved positions and hardware funding as part of JFAC’s FY2026 recommendations and will allocate the new examiners across bureaus as operational needs dictate.