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JFAC approves $177.4 million package to set pay band and targeted increases in FY2026
Summary
The committee approved a package funding a $1.05–$1.55 per hour base adjustment and targeted increases for community colleges, IT/engineering, state troopers and nursing staff, totaling $177,429,100 across funds.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee voted Feb. 6 to add a statewide compensation package for fiscal year 2026 that funds a minimum $1.05 per hour pay increase and a $1.55 per hour market‑adjustment band, with targeted additional increases for specific employee groups. The motion passed on a committee roll call with 18 ayes and 2 nays.
Representative Miller moved the measure, describing the package as: “provide $84,411,100 for a dollar 55 per hour per employee for permanent employees of state agencies and institutions. Include $2,305,700 for community colleges. Include 6,042,800 for salary schedule adjustments for those at the minimum of the pay grade. Additional funding for Idaho military division to maintain parity with federal military compensation, an additional 4.5% for IT and engineering workers, additional funding for ISP troopers, and additional funding for nursing and health care workers to receive a dollar 55 or 3%, whichever is greater.” He said the total cost is $177,429,100 across general, dedicated and federal funds.
Committee staff summarized the language the motion would add to the maintenance bills, including directives that employees receive pay increases between $1.05 and $1.55 per hour (with exceptions spelled out), that agencies cannot transfer new funding from personnel costs to other categories, and that unused funds must revert and be reported to the legislature. The language also requires the Division of Human Resources and the Office of the State Comptroller to develop a monthly report identifying pay changes.
The package includes four principal components: a market adjustment moving multiple state salary schedules up by at least $1.55 per hour; a 4.5% adjustment for classified and nonclassified IT and engineering staff; funding to allow Idaho State Police troopers a total increase not to exceed 8%; and a provision allowing nursing and health‑care workers to receive $1.55 per hour or 3%, whichever is greater. The motion also set aside $2.3 million for community college employees, funded as a 5% equivalent because those staff are not state employees and the committee lacks full FTE data for community colleges.
Debate split along policy lines. Senator Ward Engle King and Senator Wintrow opposed the motion, saying it did not address higher‑end compression issues and would not restore competitive pay for employees making more than about $64,000 per year. “I’m still very concerned about the pay increase for our highly trained employees … I think we have work to do and I’m hoping this committee will make a commitment to come back next year,” Ward Engle King said. Senator Cook and others supported the motion as a compromise to move the process forward.
The chair announced the final committee vote as 18 ayes and 2 nays; the package will carry a due‑pass recommendation to the floor. Committee staff said the language will be added to program maintenance budgets and included in the bills when they reach the floor.
