JFAC approves technical corrections and program maintenance budgets across state agencies

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Friday, Jan. 17 approved technical corrections and a wide set of program maintenance budgets covering dozens of state agencies and programs, advancing the baseline appropriations that will guide the 2026 budget cycle.

The committee voted to move reappropriated broadband funding into the Idaho Broadband Office, approved a general fund transfer to the Department of Environmental Quality and adopted program maintenance budgets for the legislative, judicial, constitutional officers, public safety, general government, economic development, natural resources, education and other functional areas. Most motions passed unanimously in roll-call votes; a small number drew one or two dissenting votes.

Why it matters: Program maintenance bills set the baseline “base budget” before the committee considers new policy or enhancement requests. Committee members said these actions largely reflect prior legislative decisions (one-time funding removed, contract-inflation and statewide cost-allocation adjustments added) and ensure agencies start the fiscal year with ongoing operational appropriations and required clear language for reappropriations, reporting and transfer exemptions.

Key approvals and amounts - Department of Commerce / Broadband: Committee corrected reappropriation entries so broadband monies moved into the newly created broadband office. The committee approved two motions to (1) remove $291,737,000 from the Department of Commerce commerce program and (2) add the same $291,737,000 to the broadband program. Both motions passed on roll call (20 ayes, 0 nays). The analyst said the actions “net to 0” in the budget tables.

- Department of Environmental Quality: Committee approved a $2,000,000 one-time appropriation and transfer from the general fund to the DEQ general fund to correct fund-source treatment that had been mischaracterized in the current-year budget (vote 20–0).

- Department of Health and Welfare corrections: The committee…