JFAC approves funding for hazardous-material cleanup, public-safety communications and IT upgrades for Military Division

At a meeting of the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee, members approved a series of one‑time appropriations and FY2026 budget enhancements for the Idaho Military Division that the committee said will free stalled emergency vehicles, reimburse last‑year cleanup costs and fund equipment for regional hazardous‑materials response teams.

Committee action focused on near‑term public‑safety readiness and longer‑term infrastructure. The committee approved three separate one‑time appropriations and endorsed FY2026 enhancements that together add targeted funding for hazardous‑materials response, public‑safety communications installations, and upgrades to the division's information technology systems.

The committee approved a one‑time transfer of $34,200 from the general fund to the hazardous substance emergency response fund to reimburse remaining fiscal‑year 2024 cleanup costs for hazardous materials. Senator Ward Engelking moved the appropriation; Representative Petzke seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous recorded vote (20 ayes, 0 nays).

Members also approved a supplemental one‑time appropriation of $540,001 from the general fund for the Military Division’s public‑safety communications support, intended to contract for installation of public‑safety communication systems in vehicles and to build four installation bays to increase throughput so vehicles can be returned to service within the calendar year. Senator Ward Engelking moved the motion; Representative Handy seconded. The motion passed unanimously (20 ayes, 0 nays).

The committee approved a separate one‑time appropriation of $759,200 from the general fund to upgrade the division’s IT infrastructure and to create an independent network for public‑safety communications. Representative Petzke moved that item; Senator Ward Engelking seconded. That motion passed with a recorded total of 19 ayes, 1 nay (Senate 9‑1, House unanimous) and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

Looking toward FY2026, the committee approved enhancement requests that included funding to create a public‑safety communications network administrator, equipment replacements, IT hardware and a $8.6 million transfer to provide new equipment to hazardous‑materials regional response teams housed at fire departments across the state. Representative Petzke moved the package, which the committee voted to approve 19 ayes, 1 nay (Senate 9‑1, House unanimous). Representative Petzke then moved a separate one‑time transfer of $8.6 million from the continuously appropriated state emergency relief fund to the Military Division’s miscellaneous revenue fund for hazardous‑materials regional response; the motion passed 19 ayes, 1 nay.

Senator Ward Engelking commented during debate on the communications appropriation, “It’ll be nice to get those vehicles out on the road where we need them,” reflecting the committee's stated objective to reduce vehicle backlog. Representative Petzke declared a conflict for one item and noted the declaration was placed on the record.

Discussion and votes were recorded by the committee clerk and will carry due‑pass recommendations to the legislature for inclusion in the budget process. No statutory authorities were cited during the discussion; funds referenced included the general fund, the hazardous substance emergency response fund, and the state emergency relief fund.