Committee reviews Department of Lands budget as state considers large transfers to fire suppression fund

The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee on Wednesday reviewed the Idaho Department of Lands budget and discussed large proposed transfers and policy changes intended to shore up fire suppression funding and to support wildfire response capacity.

Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the governor recommended transfers to the department's fire suppression deficiency fund and other measures intended to stabilize the fund. She said the governor recommended a $40 million transfer from the general fund to the fire suppression deficiency fund and also recommended a supplemental transfer of $60 million to the fund for the current year.

“Should those monies that are recommended by the governor be added, the projected balance for 2025 … would” increase, Jessup said during her presentation, describing how the transfers would affect the deficiency fund balance.

Department testimony described the state’s current suppression account balance and risks if additional transfers are not approved. Dustin Miller, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, said the current suppression account balance is roughly $35.8 million and that without the additional funds the account could fall to…