Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildfire Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
JFAC backs $40 million fire‑suppression transfer and approves Department of Lands enhancements
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a one‑time $40 million transfer to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund and separately approved FY2026 enhancements for the Department of Lands, including firefighter bonuses, equipment and three new full‑time positions.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved a one-time transfer of $40,000,000 from the general fund to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund and later approved a separate FY2026 package of enhancements for the Department of Lands.
Miss Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the $40 million motion would move money "from the general fund to the fire suppression deficiency fund," which the department uses "to pay for fire fighting related activities during the fire season at fires throughout the state."
Representative Manwaring moved the supplemental, saying he moved "for fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Lands in the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program, a one-time appropriation and transfer of $40,000,000 from the General Fund to the continuously appropriated Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund for future fire costs." The motion passed unanimously: 20 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent (Senate 10 aye, House 10 aye).
Separately, the committee approved a FY2026 package of enhancements for the Department of Lands totaling $6,806,000 (including dedicated funds) and adding three full‑time equivalent positions. Senator Woodward, who sponsored the FY2026 motion, said the package would "add 1 FTP and $184,400 for a fire emergency support program manager; add 1 FTP and $196,100 for fire aviation section manager; add 1 FTP and $196,600 for a statewide forest assessment program manager" and would fund fire detection cameras, firefighting equipment and satellite fire detection and mapping services among other items. The motion included $125,000 one‑time bonuses for IDL and Timber Protective Association firefighters and $500,000 for statewide security upgrades.
Representative Gallavese noted the firefighter bonuses "include upwards of 350 firefighters" and thanked them for their work during long wildfire deployments. Ms. Jessup told the committee Director Miller had reported that "last year approximately 300 individuals received bonuses." The FY2026 enhancements motion passed with a combined committee vote of 19 ayes, 1 nay (Senate 9 aye, 1 nay; House 10 aye).
The actions also included language on abandoned mines funds and conditions, and language clarifying Timber Protective Association assessment and employee compensation adjustments were adopted by unanimous consent.
Why it matters: The one‑time transfer is intended to ensure the state has funds on hand for imminent fire costs; the FY2026 enhancements invest in staffing and tools the department says it needs for detection, equipment and personnel to manage Idaho's forest and range resources.
What happens next: Both recommendations carry due‑pass recommendations to the floor. The Department of Lands will administer expenditures from the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund and implement the approved FY2026 enhancements under conditions adopted by the committee.
