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Department of Lands seeks staff and one-time spending; governor proposes large transfers to fire-suppression fund
Summary
Department of Lands defended staffing and one-time requests tied to wildfire response and forest management, while the governor recommended large transfers to replenish the fire suppression deficiency fund and offered firefighter bonuses; Timber Protective Associations (TPAs) pressed for parity on bonuses and pay adjustments.
The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday that the agency needs additional staff and one-time funding for fire response, forest assessment and equipment as wildfire costs and program responsibilities have grown.
Janet Jessup of the Legislative Services Office walked the committee through the Department of Lands' budget and clarified that the agency operates a mix of appropriated and continuously appropriated funds, including a fire suppression deficiency warrant fund that agencies may spend from without a regular appropriation.
Director Dustin Miller described a multi-pronged need: modernization of the department's fire program, more aviation capacity, and expanded forest-assessment work to identify lands subject to industry assessments. "If we do not receive the additional funds that's being asked for by the governor in our budget, that fund could drop down to about $13,000,000 for FY '26," Miller said, referring to the…
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