Industrial Commission requests IRIS maintenance, staff and vehicle funding amid rising caseloads

Boise — The Joint Finance Preparation Committee heard testimony Jan. 23 from the Industrial Commission on its fiscal 2026 budget request, which centers on continued maintenance for the IRIS case-management system, several personnel changes and replacement vehicles.

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the Industrial Commission has 130.25 authorized full-time positions, with 12 vacancies reported as of August, and that the agency is funded completely from dedicated funds rather than the general fund. Peterson said the commission reverted $4,555,000 in fiscal year 2024, including about $2,400,000 from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, and that the agency has spent on average just under 80% of appropriations over the prior four years.

The request for fiscal 2026 includes 10 enhancement items totaling $298,200 in ongoing increases and $554,200 in one-time requests, all from the Industrial Administration Fund. Key requests include: $288,000 one-time to contract for long-term IRIS technical support; a $66,500 ongoing senior financial technician to help the crime victims compensation payment backlog; a $111,600 ongoing referee position to adjudicate workers' compensation and crime victim appeals; reclassification of five adjudication associates (an ongoing $25,500); a $62,300 technical records specialist; a $32,300 ongoing…