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JFAC funds Military Division public‑safety communications, IT upgrades and hazmat regional response teams
Summary
The committee approved multiple Military Division appropriations: a small reimbursement to the hazardous substance response fund, a $540,001 supplemental for public‑safety communications, a $759,200 one‑time IT infrastructure upgrade, and an $8.6 million FY2026 transfer to support hazardous materials regional response teams. One member declared a
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee approved a series of appropriations and FY2026 enhancements for the Idaho Military Division that together fund public safety communications work, IT upgrades and equipment for hazardous materials regional response teams.
Frances Lippitt, the Legislative Services budget analyst for the Military Division, summarized the requests. The committee first approved a one‑time reimbursement of $34,200 from the general fund to the hazardous substance emergency response fund to cover remaining FY2024 cleanup costs; the motion passed unanimously.
The committee then approved a $540,001 one‑time appropriation to allow the Military Division to contract for installation of public‑safety communications systems on Idaho State Police vehicles and to build four installation bays; committee members said the funding will help get the vehicles operational by year‑end.
On a separate motion, the committee approved a $759,200 one‑time request to upgrade IT infrastructure and create an independent network for public‑safety communications; the motion carried with one recorded nay in the Senate (overall tally 19‑1). Representative Petzke declared a conflict of interest on another motion related to equipment supply and noted his service on the board of a company that supplies some of the equipment: “I just need to declare a rule of 80 on this one as I serve on the board of directors of a company that supplies some of this equipment,” Petzke told the committee; the declaration was noted in the record.
For FY2026 the committee approved a package of enhancements and replacements—including a network administrator position, vehicle and radio replacements, IT hardware and a request to equip regional hazmat teams—leading to a recommended net increase in dedicated funds and general‑fund changes. As part of that package, the committee approved a one‑time transfer of $8,600,000 from the continuously appropriated state emergency relief fund to the Military Division’s miscellaneous revenue fund to provide equipment to hazardous materials regional response teams housed at local fire departments. That transfer passed on a recorded vote (19 ayes, 1 nay).
Committee members noted governor recommendations and the need to ensure vehicles awaiting system installation are returned to service. The appropriation motions carry written roll‑call results in the committee record.
