JFAC adopts $6.4 billion revenue forecast; approves body-worn camera pilot and community corrections funding

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Wednesday adopted the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee's recommended general fund revenue forecast for fiscal year 2026 of $6.4 billion, and approved two budget items for the Department of Correction: a supplemental appropriation for a body-worn camera pilot and an FY2026 enhancement package for the Community Corrections Division.

The revenue forecast vote: The committee adopted the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee's recommendation of $6,400,000,000 for FY2026. The motion was seconded by Senator Galloway. After a roll call, the committee reported 6 ayes and 2 nays in the Senate delegation and 10 ayes and 0 nays in the House delegation, for a combined total of 16 ayes, 2 nays and 2 absent/excused; the motion carried.

Senator Janie Ward-Engelking, a committee member, registered a public objection to the timing and approach to setting the revenue number. "I will be voting no on this because I think this is the wrong way to do our budgets," she said, arguing the revenue projection should be set earlier in the session before decisions on spending and tax reductions.

Department of Correction ' state prisons supplemental (body-worn camera pilot): Noah Peterson, budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, presented a supplemental for the State Prisons Division for a federally funded body-worn camera pilot. The motion's text on the floor specified an addition of $27,000 from the general fund and $1,023,900 from federal funds for a stated total of $1,058,900; earlier in the presentation the analyst gave a slightly different total and breakdown (the presentation referenced approximately $1,051,000 total with $1,000,000 federal and $27,000 general fund). Senator Wintrow moved the supplemental and Representative Manmore seconded. The committee approved the measure by roll call: Senate tally reported 8 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent/excused; House tally reported 7 ayes and 3 nays; the combined total reported was 15 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent/excused, and the motion passed with a do-pass recommendation.

Community Corrections Division FY2026 enhancements: The committee approved requested enhancements for the Department of Correction's Community Corrections Division, including annualization of staff at the Pocatello Community Reentry Center (the second half of FY2025 personnel costs), general inflation adjustments, and replacement items. The motion on the floor requested a total package of $2,467,000 comprised of $116,200 from the general fund and $2,350,800 from dedicated funds (specific line-item breakdowns in the request included $680,700 for annualization, $212,300 for inflation and $1,574,000 for replacement items). Representative Manmure moved the package and Senator Wintrow seconded. After roll call, the committee reported a combined total of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused; the motion passed and the budget will move forward with a do-pass recommendation.

What this means: The revenue number provides the topline used by the Legislature in setting final appropriations; the approved corrections items represent the committee's acceptance of requested federal and dedicated funds for a body-worn camera pilot and the state-level carryforward of community corrections personnel and replacement items.

Next steps and scheduling: Committee leaders discussed continuing workgroups to finalize additional motions later in the week and scheduled additional finance meetings; no further substantive action was taken on the floor beyond the three votes described above.