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Fish and Game seeks $18.2 million in mostly one-time enhancements; appeals to use reserves for fire rehabilitation
Summary
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it is requesting $18.18 million in enhancements for 2026 — about 88% one-time — to cover hatchery and facility replacements, disease monitoring, depredation claims and fire rehabilitation; the governor recommended the agency's requests in full.
Director Jim Fredericks presented the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's budget to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, outlining a mix of ongoing requests and substantial one-time spending for replacement items, maintenance and emergency rehabilitation.
The department is funded entirely with dedicated and federal funds and receives no state general fund. Agency materials provided to the committee show the department is allocated approximately 550 FTP and operates 19 state-run facilities, including hatcheries that drive facility and utility costs.
Fredericks told the committee the agency regularly spends about 85–91% of its appropriations and that some year-to-year variance reflects the timing and restrictions of federal and dedicated fund uses. Chief John Oswald said an observed dip in a consolidated…
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