JFAC votes: community college EWA funding, juvenile corrections, corrections IT and library grant debate

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee took a series of budget actions and recorded roll‑call votes on March 7. Major outcomes included approval of enrollment workload adjustments for community colleges; approval of several Department of Juvenile Corrections and Department of Corrections enhancements; approval of a Commerce program transfer; and a failed vote on a $2.5 million digital-access grant for libraries after a tied House response.

Votes at a glance

- Community colleges: JFAC approved an FY2026 package adding $1,679,800 ongoing general fund to cover enrollment workload adjustments for the College of Eastern Idaho ($496,800), College of Southern Idaho ($690,000) and College of Western Idaho ($493,000). North Idaho College was held harmless even though it had a negative enrollment workload adjustment. The motion (mover: Representative Petske; second: Senator Ward Engelking) passed on a combined tally of 19 ayes, 1 nay and will be sent to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee also adopted language directing the State Board of Education to develop an outcome‑based funding model and return a…