After debate, JFAC approves library grants, federal project funding and several policy conditions

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 20 approved a package of appropriations and committee language for the Idaho Commission for Libraries that included general‑fund broadband reimbursements, federal subgrant authority and a request for federal funding for a statewide digital access grant. The committee also adopted several contentious language provisions restricting use of state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities and requiring reporting and coordination with the Department of Education.

Analyst Brooke Dupree told the committee the commission requested $42,400 for broadband reimbursement to eligible libraries, $30,000 for federal subgrants to local libraries from available federal funds, and $2.5 million in federal funds for the "Digital Access for All Idahoans" grant. Representative Carlson moved and Representative Price seconded the original motion. A substitute motion that would have increased the federal grant to $2.5 million and added $40,000 for federal subgrants failed on a combined vote of 9 ayes and 11 nays.

After further consideration the committee adopted the original package with the larger federal grant funding restored: the final votes approved $42,300 in general fund broadband reimbursement and $2,540,000 in federal funds (a combination that included the $2.5 million digital access request and $40,000 in subgrants). Votes on the fiscal actions carried 17 ayes and 3 nays combined; the chair announced the motion would carry a due‑pass recommendation.

The committee also considered and approved several pieces of language connected to the libraries budget. That language: directed reappropriation authority for ARPA Capital Projects Fund monies for telehealth buildouts; required the Commission to designate an employee to confirm compliance with a cited Idaho code section and to coordinate with the Department of Education; prohibited state appropriations from being used to support any “diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice ideology” in library‑sponsored activities and required a report by Dec. 1; and included a non‑supplanting restriction (state funds may not replace federal funds reduced to the commission).

Senator Wintrow pressed committee sponsors on what the DEI restriction would mean in practice and asked whether populations listed as covered by the digital access grant—households under 150% of the poverty level, older individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, language learners, members of racial or ethnic minority groups and rural residents—would be excluded. Committee members and the motion sponsor said prior uses of similar language had not led libraries to stop serving those populations, and the sponsor cited existing statute as the governing definition. The analyst declined to interpret statutory reach during the hearing and noted the language mirrored directions used in previous appropriations.

Separately, the committee adopted language authorizing ARPA reappropriation for telehealth facilities, and language directing use of funds and reporting conditions. On the DEI language, there was at least one recorded objection to unanimous consent; the item was adopted on roll call. The committee also approved a reappropriation motion for ARPA capital projects and language restricting state funds from supplanting federal funds; those motions carried without objection in subsequent votes.

Votes at a glance: the core library funding motion passed on final roll call by a combined 17 ayes, 3 nays. Separate language items on DEI restrictions, reporting and coordination were adopted by roll call.