Joint Finance Committee approves program maintenance budgets and technical corrections; most votes unanimous

BOISE — The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Friday, Jan. 17 approved a package of technical corrections and program maintenance budgets covering dozens of state agencies and programs, voting to carry multiple bills with recommendations to the full legislature.

The committee voted on a sequence of motions to correct prior appropriations, set base (FY2026) program maintenance budgets and authorize reappropriations or language sections for multiple functional areas — including commerce and broadband, environmental quality, health and welfare corrections, legislative and judicial branches, constitutional officers, public safety, general government, economic development, natural resources, education, and public schools. Most motions passed unanimously in both chambers; a handful of later votes on large appropriations produced one or two dissenting votes in the House or Senate.

Why it matters: These motions set the baseline funding and statutory authorization the legislature will use this session as it considers enhancements, policy changes and supplemental requests. Program maintenance actions typically reconfirm or realign ongoing operations, authorize limited reappropriations (carryover) and add standard conditions, reporting requirements and exemptions the legislature uses to manage state programs.

Votes at a glance

- Commerce broadband correction (remove reappropriated funds from Department of Commerce commerce program): Motion by Representative Handy; second Senator Cook. Result: 20 ayes, 0 nays; motion passed (due pass recommendation). Note: procedural step to move reappropriated funds out of the wrong expenditure category.

- Commerce broadband correction (add same amount to Broadband Office): Motion by Representative Handy; second Senator Cook. Result: 20 ayes, 0 nays; motion passed (due pass recommendation).

- Department of Environmental…