JFAC approves broad Idaho Transportation Department package, greenlights large transfers and project-specific language

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a package of budget motions affecting the Idaho Transportation Department that together provide reappropriation authority, supplemental spending for local transit and construction projects, and policy language directing where some funding must be used.

The committee approved supplemental and FY2026 motions that together add dedicated and federal spending authority for capital facilities, aeronautics, the Division of Motor Vehicles, highway operations and contract construction and right‑of‑way acquisition. The package included one large general‑fund transfer into ITD dedicated accounts and language specifying that certain sums be used for particular road‑widening projects.

Why it matters: The actions set how millions in federal, state‑dedicated and one‑time general fund dollars may be spent on airports, local transit reimbursements and a range of road and facility projects. The committee also took a step that several members said marks the final year of a multi‑year shift of a highway distribution payment from the highway fund to the general fund in the Idaho State Police budget (discussed elsewhere). Debates during the session highlighted concern about long‑term maintenance funding levels and whether transfers from the general fund should be repeated in future years.

Key votes and allocations

- The com…