Department of Lands budget hearing highlights proposed transfers to fire fund, TPA pay parity, and staffing requests

The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that wildfire costs, timber programs and long‑running remediation work are driving budget changes and several line items in the FY2026 request.

Key points at a glance - Governor recommended transfers and supplemental funding: the governor’s proposal includes a $40 million transfer from the general fund to the fire suppression deficiency fund and a $60 million supplemental transfer for the current year; the department said those transfers would raise the projected deficiency‑fund balance. - Timber Protective Associations (TPAs): the department requested a targeted compensation and employer‑cost increase for Timber Protective Association employees to create parity with state firefighter CECs; the governor recommended a 5% CEC‑equivalent for TPAs and the TPAs later asked for $250,000 in bonus funding to cover their employees. - Staffing and modernization requests: the department requested several new positions tied to its fire modernization plan, including a fire emergency support program manager, a fire aviation section manager and a statewide forest assessment program manager. The request blends dedicated fund and general fund support and is intended to improve coordination, aviation capability and forest assessment work. - Good Neighbor…