JFAC advances a slate of supplemental appropriations and FY2026 enhancements

BOISE, Feb. 14, 2025 — The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee advanced a series of supplemental appropriations and FY2026 enhancement requests on Feb. 14, approving measures that fund hazardous‑materials response work, public‑safety communications upgrades, veterans‑home construction reappropriation authority, agricultural pest control reimbursements and staffing additions at several state regulatory agencies.

Why it matters: The votes set the fiscal framework that will be considered by the full Legislature and, in some cases, authorize transfers of existing emergency or federal grant funds to pay for equipment, personnel and capital work. Several actions will move state support for public‑safety communications and hazardous‑materials regional response forward this calendar year.

Key outcomes (votes summarized): - Hazardous substances emergency response: Approved a one‑time appropriation and transfer of $34,200 from the general fund to the Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Fund to reimburse fiscal‑year 2024 cleanup costs. Motion by Sen. Ward Engelking; seconded by Rep. Petzke. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays (passed). (Transcript: Frances Lippitt introduced the deficiency warrant; motion begins at 754.81 and passage recorded at 847.815.)

- Military division — public safety communications supplemental: Approved a one‑time appropriation of $540,001 from the general fund to support contracting for installation work, build‑out of four installation bays and equipment so Idaho State Police vehicles can be operational by year end. Motion by Sen. Ward Engelking; seconded by Rep. Handy. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays (passed). (Intro at 849.975; motion and roll at 896.02–1001.10.)

- Military division — IT infrastructure upgrade: Approved $759,200 one‑time from the general fund to upgrade the division’s IT infrastructure and create an independent network for public‑safety communications. Motion by Rep. Petzke; seconded by Sen. Ward Engelking. Vote: Senate 9 aye, 1 nay; House unanimous for a total 19 ayes, 1 nay (passed). (Intro 1004.04–1036.37; motion 1042.955–1138.895.)

- Military division FY2026 enhancements (network administrator, replacement items, hazmat equipment): Approved FY2026 adjustments that included a network administrator request, equipment replacement, and a proposed $8.6 million transfer into the military division’s miscellaneous revenue fund to equip hazardous‑materials regional response teams. Motion by Rep. Petzke; seconded by Sen. Ward Engelking. Vote: Senate 9 aye, 1 nay; House unanimous for a total 19 ayes, 1 nay (passed). (Enhancement discussion 1141.355–1316.63; motion 1337.745–1391.33.)

- Transfer of $8.6 million from the State Emergency Relief Fund to support hazmat regional response teams (FY2026): Approved. Motion by Rep. Petzke; second by Sen. Ward Engelking. Vote: Senate 9 ayes, 1 nay; House unanimous for 19 ayes, 1 nay (passed). (Motion 1391.33–1478.76.)

- Veterans services FY2026 adjustments and reappropriation authority: Approved net increases to support temporary nursing staff, IT maintenance, capital outlay and replacement items for veterans homes, and granted reappropriation authority “not to exceed $111,488,600” from FY2025 federal grant funds for Boise replacement and Lewiston renovation. Motion by Sen. Woodward; second by Rep. Handy. Vote: Senate 9 aye, 1 nay; House unanimous for 19 ayes, 1 nay (passed). (Intro 1479.96–1576.90; motion 1577.365–1736.095.)

- Department of Agriculture — pest control deficiency ($1,724,300) and FY2026 enhancements: Approved a one‑time transfer from the general fund to cover prior exotic species monitoring and approved FY2026 enhancements including pay structure and replacement items. Motion for the deficiency by Rep. Handy; second by Sen. Hart. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays (passed). Motion for FY2026 enhancements by Sen. Cook; second by Rep. Handy. Vote: Senate 8 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent excused; House unanimous for total 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent excused (passed). (Intro 1741.295–1807.5299; motions 1809.69–1893.77 and 1957.20–2102.385.)

- Department of Finance staffing additions: Approved five full‑time positions and associated dedicated‑fund spending for financial examiners, forensic accounting and IT hardware. Motion by Sen. Hart; second by Rep. Galaviz. Vote: Senate 8 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent and excused; House unanimous (passed). (Intro 2132.725–2193.105; motion 2276.685–2425.3398.)

- Department of Insurance enhancements: Approved two staff positions (staff actuary and regulatory compliance specialist), a compensation increase for the State Fire Marshal program, and replacement items. Motion by Rep. Furness; second by Sen. Cook. Vote: Senate 8 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent and excused; House unanimous (passed). (Intro 2455.7998–2556.955; motion 2581.345–2688.255.)

- State Board of Education — special programs: Approved multiple small enhancements and position changes for forest utilization research, the Idaho Geological Survey, Idaho Museum of Natural History and the rural educator incentive program. Motion by Sen. Carlson; second by Rep. Price. Vote: Senate 8 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent excused; House unanimous (passed). (Intro 2718.355–2771.225; motion 2849.635–3060.4102.)

- Health education programs (residencies and fellowships): Approved additions for internal medicine, family medicine and dental residency allocations and included legislative language expressing JFAC’s intent on expanding OBGYN fellowships and requiring periodic reporting from the Idaho Graduate Medical Education Committee. Motion by Rep. Petsky; second by Sen. Galloway. Vote: Senate 8 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent excused; House unanimous for total 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent excused (passed). (Intro 3062.95–3127.6328; motion 3141.3699–3272.325; language discussion 3272.5452–3330.365.)

- State Independent Living Council fund shift: Approved shifting modest CEC and health benefit amounts ($11,600 total) from dedicated fund authority onto the general fund for FY2026; net budget impact zero. Motion by Rep. Furness; second by Sen. Wintrow. Vote: Senate 9 aye, 1 nay; House 9 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent excused (passed). (Intro 3376.71–3441.73; motion 3470.0498–3579.675.)

Roll‑call records and full motion text are in the committee transcript. Most motions carried on roll calls with recorded tallies as noted above.

What the committee did not approve: A proposed increase for the Office of the Health and Social Services Ombudsman failed to pass the House on the same day (see separate article below).

Acknowledgments: Committee staff and analysts from the Legislative Services Office presented the packet materials and answered questions throughout the session, including Keith Bybee (general fund update), Frances Lippitt (military, veterans) and Noah Peterson (Department of Finance).