Idaho budget committee approves multiple supplemental appropriations, orders departmental reports; ombudsman pay increase fails House

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee voted on a series of supplemental and FY2026 budget items for Idaho agencies on Feb. 14, approving most funding requests for the military division, veterans services, agriculture and others while rejecting a proposed $50,000 general fund increase for the Office of Health and Social Services ombudsman in the House.

Legislative analysts briefed the committee on fiscal notes and requested appropriations before members moved and voted on the measures. ‘‘These are germane pieces of legislation that have a fiscal note from the general fund that would require an additional appropriation,’’ said Keith Bybee, division manager of budget policy analysis, introducing the general fund daily update.

Why it matters: the appropriations and transfers the committee approved would enable immediate work — for example, clearing hazardous‑materials cleanup bills, moving public‑safety equipment through installation, and funding regional hazardous‑materials response teams — and set FY2026 budgets that affect personnel, equipment and IT across state agencies.

Most significant approvals

• Hazardous substance emergency response: The committee approved a one‑time transfer of $34,200 from the general fund to reimburse the hazardous substance emergency response fund for FY2024 cleanup costs. Senator Ward Engelking moved the motion; Representative Petzke seconded. The motion passed unanimously (total: 20 ayes, 0 nays). The committee record shows the division had recovered $62,800, leaving $34,200 to be reimbursed.

• Public safety communications and IT upgrades: The committee approved a $540,001 one‑time general fund appropriation to support installation throughput for public safety communications equipment and…