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JFAC approves $177.4 million compensation package including $1.55‑per‑hour minimum; divided committee votes reflect disagreement
Summary
The committee approved an across‑the‑board pay package that sets a $1.55‑per‑hour minimum increase for state employees, with targeted adjustments for IT, state troopers, military division and nursing staff; the motion passed after debate and a split Senate vote.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee voted Feb. 6 to add a compensation package to the maintenance bills that provides, at minimum, a $1.55 per hour increase for permanent state employees and targeted adjustments for specific employee groups. The committee vote followed extended debate over compression of pay scales and recruiting and retention concerns.
Representative Miller moved the fiscal‑year‑2026 motion to “provide $84,411,100 for a dollar 55 per hour per employee for permanent employees of state agencies and institutions; include $2,305,700 for community colleges; include $6,042,800 for salary‑schedule adjustments for those at the minimum of the pay grade; additional funding for Idaho Military Division to maintain parity with federal military compensation; an additional 4.5% for IT and engineering workers; additional funding for Idaho State Police troopers up to 8%; and additional funding for nursing and health‑care workers to receive $1.55 per hour or 3%, whichever is greater,” with a total cost the motion described as $177,429,100 (split among general, dedicated, and federal funds).
Legislative staff explained elements of the package. Keith Bybee, Division Manager, said the motion would shift the primary salary schedules and fund a minimum market adjustment of $1.55 per hour; it also directs reporting requirements for agencies, including a monthly report by the Division of Human Resources and the Office of the State Comptroller to track pay changes and use of funds.
Committee debate reflected disagreement about the package’s design and distribution. Senator Ward Engel King said she would not support the motion because it does not address higher‑paid employees (above about $64,000) and risks continued salary‑schedule compression that could hamper recruitment and retention. Senator Wintrow echoed concerns that the statutory duty to provide a competitive package was not fully met. Senator Cook supported the motion but criticized it as a broad, non‑merit increase that could tie managers’ hands. Senator Woodward also voiced concerns about compression and “use it or lose it” implementation dynamics but said she would vote for the motion to move the process forward. Representative Miller described the package as balancing cost‑of‑living help and recognition of high performers.
After roll call, the clerk reported the Senate vote as 8 ayes and 2 nays and the House as unanimous; the committee chair announced the motion had passed and “will carry a due pass recommendation to the floor.”
Why it matters: The package creates a floor of pay increases for many state employees while authorizing targeted, larger increases for IT/engineering, public safety troopers and nursing staff. Committee language also restricts transfers of the new funding and requires agencies to report use of funds.
What happens next: The compensation language will be added to the maintenance‑bill packages and sent to the floor; staff were directed to compile information about additional, outside‑CEC salary requests resulting from the approved increases.
