JFAC approves Health & Human Services reorganization and $5.26 billion maintenance package; one member objects

BOISE — The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 17 approved the Department of Health and Welfare’s requested realignment of budget appropriation units and a program‑maintenance package for Health and Human Services that the committee recorded at $5,263,083,200 in total funds.

The committee took two distinct actions related to Health and Human Services (DHW). First, members approved a technical motion to realign appropriation units — aligning the budget’s structure with the department’s reorganization and adding a new appropriation unit for the Idaho Childcare Program. That procedural motion passed with recorded votes (Senate 10‑0; House 8‑1‑1) producing a combined total of 18 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent excused. A subsequent substantive motion set the program‑maintenance totals and caps.

The maintenance package and language - Program totals: Representative Tanner moved the program‑maintenance appropriation that the clerk recorded as $1,135,534,600 from the general fund, $824,851,000 from dedicated funds, and $3,302,688,600 from federal funds — for…