JFAC gives Department of Fish and Game $18.18 million supplemental; approves reappropriation language

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on [date not specified] voted to give the Idaho Department of Fish and Game a fiscal year 2026 supplemental of $10,217,400 from dedicated funds and $7,967,500 from federal funds, for a total of $18,184,900.

The allocation includes about $16 million in one-time enhancements and smaller ongoing adjustments. Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the department operates five programs — administration, enforcement, fisheries, wildlife and communications — and highlighted requests for hatchery and regional office renovations, replacement equipment, a website overhaul and increased seasonal staffing. Jessup also provided the committee a list and map of the 19 state-managed fish hatcheries.

The motion (read into the record by a committee member) included multiple line-item enhancements described during the hearing: license processing contract increases; Albany Falls project funding; recreational access lease costs; a phase two agency website overhaul; seasonal staff for mitigation stewardship; hatchery trailer tanks; multiple Region 7 renovation line items; regional office operating increases and leases; hatchery improvements; software licenses; alignment of federal grant revenues; remote connectivity; replacement items and IT hardware.

Representative Manmuring moved the supplemental; Senator Hart seconded. The committee recorded a final tally of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent and excused; the majority voted in the affirmative and the motion received a "do pass" recommendation.

The committee also voted by roll call to approve two pieces of reappropriation language associated with the motion. One allows the agency to reappropriate funds related to specific multi‑year projects; the other addresses reappropriation for depredation funds that may extend into the next fiscal year. That language required roll-call votes; the committee approved it and recorded the roll calls in the hearing record.

The Department of Fish and Game requested most of the enhancements as one-time spending, and Jessup emphasized the dollar composition when answering committee questions. No general fund dollars were included for the department in the action taken by the committee.

Committee members did not identify follow-up assignments beyond the reappropriation language and the recorded motion. The committee will next consider the bill on the floor according to normal legislative process.