Idaho Department of Lands seeks more fire program funding; governor recommends large transfers and some bonuses

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee reviewed the Idaho Department of Lands FY2026 budget request, hearing extended testimony about wildfire funding, Timber Protective Association (TPA) payments, the Good Neighbor Authority program and abandoned mines work.

Janet Jessup of the Legislative Services Office summarized the agencys budget structure and noted the department administers six program areas, including trust land management and fire and range protection. Dustin Miller, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, and deputies Bill Hoganson and Michelle Anderson appeared to answer questions.

Fire suppression deficiency fund: The department said the fire suppression deficiency fund is continuously appropriated and has historically required prefunding by the Legislature. Jessup and Miller detailed recent fund activity and warned that without supplemental transfers the agency projects the suppression account could decline sharply. "If we do not receive the additional funds that's being asked for by the governor in our budget, that fund could drop down to about $13,000,000," Director Dustin Miller told the committee, citing the departments internal projections for FY2026.

Governor recommendations: The governors budget recommended two notable transfers to the fire suppression deficiency fund: a $60 million supplemental for the…