Idaho corrections division wins multiple supplemental and FY‑26 budget increases after JFAC review

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst for the Legislative Services Office, presented multiple Department of Correction (IDOC) supplemental requests and FY‑2026 budget enhancement items to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Feb. 28.

Supplemental requests considered and committee actions

- Advanced surveillance technology (State Prisons Division): request for digital mail scanning, drone detection, and phone transcription technologies to address vulnerabilities identified after a March 2024 shooting and escape attempt. Motion: one‑time $795,000 (General Fund) for FY2025. Outcome: passed. Tally reported: Senate 9 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent excused; House 8 aye, 2 nay; total 17 ayes, 3 nays. The committee recommended sending the measure to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation.

- Transport safety expansion (State Prisons Division): request to expand the transport safety bureau to handle emergency inmate transport (12 personnel, 7 vehicles and outfitting). Motion: one‑time $1,148,000 (General Fund) for FY2025. Outcome: passed. Tally reported: Senate 8 aye, 2 nay; House 7 aye, 3 nay; total 15 ayes, 5 nays.

- Body‑worn camera pilot (State Prisons Division): federal grant year‑one supplemental with state match: total $1,051,000 (federal + general fund). Motion: one‑time $27,000 (General Fund) and $1,024,000 (Federal Funds) for FY2025. Outcome: The motion achieved a majority in the House but failed to receive a majority in the Senate Finance Committee and therefore did not pass both chambers at committee level; record: Senate 5 aye, 5 nay; House 7 aye, 3 nay; total 12 ayes, 8 nays. The committee clerk recorded that the motion will be sent to the Senate for further action despite failing to carry in Senate committee.

- County and out‑of‑state placement (supplemental for FY2025): one‑time $5,939,400 (General Fund) to cover higher than budgeted county and out‑of‑state housing costs; motion passed. Reported tally: Senate 7 aye, 3 nay; House 7 aye, 3 nay; total 14 ayes, 6 nays.

- Medical services supplemental (FY2025): one‑time $5,957,200 (General Fund) to meet updated population and medical cost projections; motion passed. Final recorded tally after clarifying the motion amount: Senate 7 aye, 2 nay, 1 absent excused; House 9 aye, 1 nay; total 16 ayes, 3 nays, 1 absent excused.

FY‑2026 enhancement items considered (summary)

Peterson presented multiple FY‑26 enhancement requests across IDOC divisions. Several motions were made addressing the management services division, state prisons, county and out‑of‑state placement, community corrections, and medical services. Highlights include: an ongoing funding request for advanced surveillance technology ($2,397,000 ongoing), population‑driven adjustments for county/out‑of‑state placement ($4,527,900 ongoing for FY‑26), and medical‑services population adjustments ($2,727,900 ongoing). Many enhancement motions passed in one or both committees; where a motion failed to obtain a majority in the Senate Finance Committee, the record notes it will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.

Key exchanges and context

Peterson said the surveillance and transport requests reflected vulnerabilities and operational lessons following a March 2024 incident. On county jail placements and medical services, analysts and members cited population pressure and a lack of space — particularly for women’s facilities — and noted a new women’s prison under construction with an expected opening in 2028–2029 would change future capacity projections.

What passed and what did not

Most large supplemental requests to cover FY2025 cost increases and FY‑26 population adjustments cleared committee action and were forwarded with due‑pass recommendations. The notable exception was the body‑worn camera pilot, which lacked a Senate committee majority and did not clear both committees at this meeting.