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JFAC approves targeted enhancements for Idaho State Liquor Division budget
Summary
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 20 voted to approve $644,400 in dedicated‑fund enhancements for the Idaho State Liquor Division, covering part‑time pay increases, shrink‑wrap costs, website accessibility work, IT hardware and store replacement items.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee (JFAC) voted March 20 to approve $644,400 in dedicated‑fund enhancements for the Idaho State Liquor Division, following a presentation by a Legislative Services budget analyst and a subsequent motion by Senator Lori Carlson.
The liquor division, which “provides control over the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of distilled spirits” and returns profits to the state, requested seven enhancements for FY 2026 totaling $1,721,700 (of which $131,400 was ongoing and $1,590,300 one‑time), budget analyst Kellen McGurkin told the committee. McGurkin said FY 2024 distributions from the division totaled $118.3 million and summarized the requested items, including a raise for part‑time retail staff, LaserPhish software, network firewalls and switches, store replacement items and IT/security replacements.
Senator Lori Carlson moved the approved package, asking the committee to add funding for part‑time pay, shrink‑wrap costs, website accessibility upgrades, replacement items and ITS hardware. Representative Tanner seconded the motion. Senator Melissa Wintrow urged caution about using dedicated business funds but said she would probably support the motion. Senator Seiderfeld (spelled in the transcript as “Ziderfeld”) and other members expressed views about state control of liquor sales; one member noted only 17 states operate government‑controlled liquor systems.
On roll call the combined Senate and House committees recorded a final tally of 15 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent/excused. The committee’s clerk announced the motion “has passed and without objection will carry a due pass recommendation.”
Committee discussion included: the division’s high turnover among part‑time retail staff (reported at about 80%), the need to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards for the agency website, and ITS recommendations for hardware and security. The motion approved a subset of the agency’s requests; the full request as filed was larger.
The measure now proceeds with JFAC’s due‑pass recommendation to the next legislative steps.
