JFAC approves four new examiner positions for Department of Finance, adds $642,800

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee approved four new full‑time positions and related funding for the Department of Finance for FY2026, aiming to expand IT examination, cyber security and forensic accounting capacity across the department’s three bureaus.

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, explained the requests were for five enhancements totaling six FTP in the submission; the committee approved four full‑time positions tied to specific needs in each bureau. Approved additions include an IT‑focused financial institutions examiner, a general financial institutions examiner, two IT/security examiners for consumer finance and securities bureaus and a forensic accounting specialist in the securities bureau. The package also included $52,600 for IT hardware recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services.

Representative Furness moved the funding package and Senator Cook seconded. Supporters cited growing cyber‑crime losses in Idaho and the need to expand examination capacity. Representative Furness noted reductions made in the working group and framed the hires as responsive to fraud and cybersecurity threats; one speaker referenced FBI data on large fraud losses.

Roll call produced a combined total of 15 ayes and 5 nays across the two chambers (Senate 7‑3‑0; House 8‑2‑0). The committee carried the motion as a due‑pass recommendation.