Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Fisheries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
JFAC backs Department of Fish and Game FY2026 budget with reappropriation language
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to give the Department of Fish and Game a due-pass recommendation on its FY2026 budget enhancements and approved two reappropriation language items that allow project and depredation funds to carry into the next fiscal year.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Wednesday gave the Idaho Department of Fish and Game its fiscal year 2026 budget recommendation and approved reappropriation language to allow certain projects and depredation funds to carry into the next fiscal year.
Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the department manages fish, wild birds and other wild animals through five budgeted programs and operates 19 state-managed fish hatcheries. She outlined a range of enhancement requests that included equipment, IT, renovations and hatchery improvements.
The committee approved a motion to add $10,217,400 from dedicated funds and $7,967,500 in federal funds for a total of $18,184,900 in FY2026 enhancements. The motion, moved by Representative Manwaring and seconded by Senator Hart, carried with a grand total tally reported in committee of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused. Committee members noted most of the requested enhancements were one-time costs and that the department does not receive general fund appropriations.
Committee staff also presented two pieces of reappropriation language tied to the motion. One would allow the agency to reappropriate funds for specific projects that extend into the next fiscal year; the other would allow depredation funds to be reappropriated because of the way those funds are applied and distributed. The committee approved that language by roll call; committee staff said both pieces require roll-call votes because they reappropriate money.
Jessup provided a handout and map showing locations of the 19 state-managed fish hatcheries and said additional materials were available in the committee SharePoint folder. She also detailed that a substantial portion of the enhancement request was one-time funding.
The committee recorded the motion as carrying with a “due pass” recommendation to the full legislature. The reappropriation language passed on roll-call votes reported as unanimous in the Senate and unanimous in the House delegation present.
Budget details provided to the committee listed specific line items, including contract increases, regional office renovations, hatchery improvements and IT hardware. The department’s request and the committee action were funded from dedicated and federal sources; staff emphasized no general fund dollars were included in the department’s request.
