JFAC members select seats, adopt SharePoint for committee documents; LSO and budget staff introduced

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) met for organizational business, completing seat selection and seniority draws, and received a demonstration of the committee SharePoint file system used to distribute the legislative budget book and agency presentation materials. Staff from the Legislative Services Office (LSO) and the Division of Financial Management (DFM) introduced analysts and a newly formed Legislative Impact Review team to support the committee this session.

The orientation began with roll call and confirmation that a quorum was present. Committee officers directed members through seat-selection procedures; where seniority tied, members drew numbers by lottery to determine seating order for the two-year committee term.

Keith Bybee, Division Manager of the Budget and Policy Analysis Team, led a hands-on demonstration of JFAC’s SharePoint site and explained how members and the public can access materials. Bybee walked members through downloading files (to exit read-only mode), organizing them locally, and using the site’s naming conventions so analysts’ presentations and agency materials remain consistent. He also showed the session record on legislature.idaho.gov (Legislative Services → Budget and Policy → Session Record by Agency) as the public-facing repository for audio, video and presentations.

Bybee reviewed the committee hearing schedule and the structure the staff expects to use: orientation and governor’s budget presentation in the opening days; program-maintenance budgets and agency presentations in week 2; institution and statewide-elected-official hearings in week 4; and capital and other major subjects in later weeks. He explained that “replacement items” (IT, vehicles, equipment) would be heard together on a designated morning so members can ask targeted questions of staff.

The committee heard staff introductions from Bybee and LSO managers. Budget and Policy staff introduced included Jared Tetreault (deputy manager), Janet Jessup (principal analyst, natural resources), Frances Lippitt (capital budgets), Alex Williamson (health and welfare), Brooke Dupree (transportation, commerce, labor), and other analysts assigned to general government, public safety and statewide-elected-official portfolios. Bybee asked members to note which analysts they will work with for upcoming work groups.

Paul Headley, LSO deputy chief, introduced the newly formed Legislative Impact Review team and two research fellows on loan from the McClure Center for Public Policy. Headley said the impact-review analysts will provide short, targeted research products—emails, one- or two-page briefs, or deeper background research—helping the committee examine evidence for program and policy proposals. He summarized the team’s skills (legal training, IT/GIS, audits, scientific backgrounds) and said the group will assist analysts in work groups and hearings.

Committee members asked practical process questions: where to find session materials (Bybee reiterated the navigation path on legislature.idaho.gov), whether printed budget books would still be available (yes, on request), and whether staff would provide individualized SharePoint assistance (staff said they will follow up with members who need hands-on help). Several members thanked staff for the organization and encouraged members to contact assigned analysts before work groups begin.

The orientation adjourned briefly for a break before the governor’s budget presentation.

Ending: Staff provided contact points and offered to schedule one-on-one help with SharePoint and with analysts; members were reminded that work groups will start immediately and to coordinate with their assigned analysts.