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JFAC accepts CEC compensation recommendations; committee recommends targeted increases for troopers, nurses and IT
Summary
JFAC accepted the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee report, which recommends average schedule shifts and targeted salary increases including up to 8% for Idaho State Police troopers and $1.55/hour per FTP for general state employee increases.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee accepted the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee report, which recommends upward adjustments to state salary schedules and targeted increases for certain occupations.
Senator Dan Foreman, co-chair of the CEC committee, presented the group's recommendations and said the committee recommends shifting the primary compensation schedule upward by an average of 3.2 percent (with the statutory minimum for pay grade D remaining at $7.25 per hour). The CEC recommended specialized schedule increases averaging 3.2 percent for public safety, 3 percent for IT and engineering, and 3.5 percent for nursing and health care.
The CEC recommended funding an across-the-board salary increase equal to $1.55 per hour per full-time position (FTP), with flexibility for agency heads and institution presidents to allocate within agencies. For Idaho State Police, the committee recommended a targeted increase for troopers (pay grade L) to meet but not exceed an 8 percent increase, citing low staffing and retention driven primarily by pay. "It's pay, and that's something that hopefully we can address," Foreman said, explaining the trooper recommendation.
For IT and engineering positions the committee recommended a 4.5 percent funded increase; for nursing and health-care positions the committee recommended the greater of $1.55 per hour per FTP or 3 percent. The CEC advised keeping the current employee benefits package intact and recommended an increase in appropriation levels per FTP to $13,960 for fiscal year 2026.
Representative James Holsclaw (District 20) and other members praised staff work. Senator Ward Engelking voiced concerns that many state positions remain below market and noted high turnover rates, saying the proposals may not be sufficient to bring state pay to market levels. The CEC report was accepted by unanimous consent after a request by Cochair Horman and a second from Senator Woodward.
Why it matters: The CEC recommendations are intended to guide appropriation decisions on employee compensation in upcoming JFAC budget deliberations; targeted increases for public safety and health-care staff could affect recruitment and retention in critical services.
Next steps: JFAC will consider the CEC recommendations during program maintenance and enhancement budget hearings; acceptance of the report does not itself appropriate funds.
