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 an additional $759,200 one‑time to upgrade IT infrastructure and create an independent network for public safety communications. Representative Petzke declared a conflict of interest on one item; the motions carried with the majority voting in the affirmative (votes recorded as unanimous on the first item and 19–1 on the IT upgrade motion).

• Military division FY2026 enhancements: The committee approved FY2026 adjustments that include new positions, vehicle and equipment replacement, and a $8.6 million transfer from the continuously appropriated state emergency relief fund to the division’s miscellaneous revenue fund to support hazardous‑materials regional response teams. Frances Lippitt, budget and policy analyst, described replacement items and a governor recommendation for a cash transfer; Representative Petzke moved the package, which passed (19 ayes, 1 nay per the roll call summary).

• Veterans services: The committee approved FY2026 adjustments for veterans homes and services, including reappropriation authority for federal construction grant funding (not to exceed $111,488,600) for replacement of the Boise Veterans Home and renovation of the Lewiston Veterans Home. The motion passed on a roll call reported as 19 ayes, 1 nay.

• Department of Agriculture: The panel approved a one‑time reimbursement transfer of $1,724,300 to cover FY2024 exotic species monitoring and control costs (Japanese beetles, Mormon crickets and others). The committee also approved FY2026 requests including pay structure adjustments and replacement items; the package passed on a recorded roll call (18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent/excused in the combined tally).

• Department of Finance and Department of Insurance staffing: The committee approved dedicated‑fund staffing increases for the Department of Finance (five additional full‑time equivalent positions and $765,800 from dedicated funds as presented) and for the Department of Insurance (two FTEs and $533,400 from dedicated funds for a staff actuary, regulatory compliance specialist and State Fire Marshal compensation and equipment). Both motions carried on roll calls reported in committee.

• Higher‑education and health training requests: The committee approved the State Board of Education special programs package, including a $1,375,000 ongoing request for the rural and underserved educator incentive program and smaller, targeted staffing and equipment items. Separately, the committee approved $954,500 in FY2026 funding for health education programs (medical residencies, dental education and related positions). Both passed on recorded roll calls.

Policy and reporting directions

The committee adopted language directing reports or study work in two areas. First, it approved intent language requiring the Department of Health and Welfare to work with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) to draft potential legislation and report back to JFAC by January on what would be required to transfer the licensing and certification program out of Health and Welfare and into DOPL. During floor discussion Representative Wintrow voiced concern about the ‘‘shall draft legislation’’ phrasing and objected to an earlier unanimous‑consent request; after a formal motion the committee approved the language by roll call.

Second, the committee required a Department of Health and Welfare report on state vehicle utilization. Ms. Williamson (Legislative Services) explained the report will evaluate the agency’s vehicle fleet and provide data on utilization, vehicle counts and appropriateness; the report is due to JFAC through the Legislative Services Office by Dec. 15.

Failed item

A motion to add $50,000 from the general fund for the Office of Health and Social Services ombudsman failed to gain a House majority. Representative Wintrow moved the appropriation; Representative Price explained she would vote no because the office is a new program and pay grades appeared inconsistent between the budget book and the agency’s annual report. The motion failed in the House and will be taken up at a later date.

What committee members said

Frances Lippitt summarized the military division scope: "The military division serves as the state's national guard, the Idaho office of emergency management, public safety communications, and the public safety communications commission." Representative Petzke noted concerns about small, fractional FTE requests in the State Board of Education special programs and asked staff to revisit budget structure next year. Representative Price said of the ombudsman funding, "I am going to vote no for this budget ... being a brand new program ... it sends concerns about this growth of this program already."

Next steps

Approved appropriations and language will be incorporated into final FY2026 recommendations and bill language as the session proceeds. The licensing and vehicle reports directed by the committee are due to JFAC by the dates specified in the intent language.

Votes at a glance

The committee recorded votes on each motion in the transcript; tallies are summarized in the actions array included with this article (each action entry lists the motion text, mover/second where recorded, the committee tally, and the formal outcome).