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Joint committee approves $8.14 million in Parks and Recreation funding and program consolidation
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $8,135,700 in additional dedicated and federal funds and five full‑time equivalents for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, plus language allowing intra‑fund transfers to capital development grants.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 11 approved supplemental funding and program consolidation for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, adding a total of $8,135,700 and five full‑time equivalent positions for fiscal year 2026.
Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, opened the discussion by describing the agency: “The department of parks and recreation is a state agency and it oversees the management of the idaho's 30 state parks and trails throughout 6 different regions in the state. It also manages recreational boating, motorized and non motorized trail programs and interpretive programs throughout the state.”
The motion, made by Senator Hart, specified line‑item additions and transfers including $5,410,700 from dedicated funds and $2,725,000 from federal funds. Senator Hart moved in part to “add $321,100 for park personnel, add $210,000 for seasonal group positions, add $195,000 for operating costs state wide, add $309,100 to increase pay for targeted positions, add $140,000 for compact, a compact reasonable OHV use campaign, add $4,000,000 for improvements at Bear Lake State Park, add $400,000 for improvements at Lake Cascade, transfer $23,035,600 from the management services program to the park operations program to consolidate the programs, $2,263,000 for replacement items, and $197,500 for OITS hardware.” The motion also sought five additional full‑time equivalent positions.
Representative Manwaring seconded the motion. Committee members asked for clarification on a $200,000 reduction in replacement items; a member of the work group explained the committee judged some replacement items could be covered from the agency’s retained funds in later years.
On roll call the motion received a majority: the chair reported for the Senate 8 ayes and 2 nays and for the House 9 ayes and 1 nay, for a combined total of 17 ayes and 3 nays. The committee recorded a “do pass” recommendation.
After the vote, the committee approved language on the screen that allows the agency to transfer monies from the consolidated park operations program to the capital development (capital operations) program for the purpose of grants. Senator Hart requested unanimous consent to accept the language on the screen; no objections were recorded and the language was approved.
The committee then moved on to the next agenda item.
