JFAC advances Fish and Game FY2026 enhancements, approves reappropriation language

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of fiscal year 2026 budget enhancements for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, advancing $10,217,400 in dedicated funds and $7,967,500 in federal funds — a total of $18,184,900 — and approved reappropriation language to allow certain project funds to carry into the next fiscal year.

The enhancements include a mix of one‑time and ongoing requests. Budget and policy analyst Janet Jessup told the committee the agency requested numerous one‑time items that, if funded, would reduce the FY2027 base. Jessup noted the department operates 19 state‑managed fish hatcheries and provided members a handout and map showing hatchery locations.

Committee discussion and the motion focused on equipment and operational requests, site renovations and construction, and IT and license‑processing costs. Representative Manmuring moved the budget motion, listing specific line items included in the request: increases for contract costs, Albany Falls projects, recreational access lease costs, a phase‑2 website overhaul, mitigation stewardship seasonal employees, hatchery trailer tanks, Region 7 renovations, regional office operating increases and leases, hatchery improvements, software licenses, alignment of federal grant revenues, remote connectivity, replacement items, and IT hardware. He said the requested total was $18,184,900.

Senators and representatives noted that the bulk of the requested enhancements — roughly $16 million — were one‑time funds, and that the department receives no general fund appropriations. The committee approved the motion; the chair announced the motion would move forward with a due‑pass recommendation after a roll call (committee tally recorded in the transcript as a committee majority in the affirmative).

Committee members also considered two pieces of reappropriation language tied to the motion: one to allow agency project funds to be reappropriated into the next fiscal year and a second related to depredation funds. Representative Van Moring moved to adopt the language; Senator Cook seconded. The committee adopted the reappropriation language by roll call (the transcript records unanimous or near‑unanimous affirmative tallies across the two chambers on the committee roll call vote).

The committee record shows the motion and the reappropriation language will be sent forward with a due‑pass recommendation; any projects that span fiscal years will be eligible to reappropriate the specified funds.

The motion and the reappropriation language were deliberated and voted on during the committee hearing; members asked clarifying questions about hatcheries, one‑time versus ongoing costs and the department's funding sources. No additional amendments to the Fish and Game motion were recorded in the committee transcript.

The committee forwarded the budget recommendation and adopted the related reappropriation language for further consideration by the legislature.