Idaho State Police seek staff, forensic‑lab and fentanyl‑response funding in FY26 budget review

Idaho State Police Director Colonel Bill Gardner and Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson outlined a package of FY26 budget requests and program changes at a Feb. 12 Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee meeting, asking for new investigators and forensic staff, funding to finish a new Meridian forensic laboratory and a transfer to offset a highway distribution account reduction that would otherwise reduce law‑enforcement funding.

The request includes several personnel and equipment enhancements: a 10‑position fentanyl trafficking unit ($1,043,300), a 4‑person special investigations unit to handle criminal investigations at Department of Correction facilities ($757,300 and 4 FTP), a forensic deputy lab manager (1 FTP, $118,200), and a proposed transfer of $4,995,500 and 37.48 FTP to preserve patrol operations if the Highway Distribution Account shift proceeds. Other items included ILETS disaster‑recovery funding ($233,000), a two‑position digital‑forensics program transfer (net $0 but $203,700 in personnel), and SORNA compliance funding ($50,000).

Why it matters: committee members pressed the agency about staffing and capacity as Idaho police face rising demand. Noah Peterson told the committee the division…