JFAC approves program‑maintenance budgets and technical corrections; CEC and health‑insurance decisions deferred

BOISE — The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Friday approved a package of technical corrections and program‑maintenance budgets affecting nearly every state agency, adopting reappropriation changes, budget realignments and operating baselines while postponing final decisions on cost‑of‑living (CEC) and health‑insurance adjustments.

The committee voted on individual technical corrections early in the session, then moved through program‑maintenance appropriations for the legislative and judicial branches, constitutional officers, public safety, general government, economic development, natural resources, the State Board of Education, public schools and Health and Human Services. Most measures passed on roll call with bipartisan support. Committee leadership said outstanding CEC and health‑insurance numbers will be taken up at a later date.

Why it matters: The maintenance budgets set the baseline funding that agencies will use to prepare detailed agency hearings and possible enhancements later in the session. Reappropriation corrections improve transparency by placing one‑time or grant funds in the correct fund codes; the deferred CEC and health‑insurance items could affect salaries and benefit funding across multiple agencies.

Votes at a glance (key motions adopted)

- Department of Commerce / Broadband reappropriation (technical correction, net $0): Two motions moved reappropriated funds ($291,737,000) out of the Commerce program and into the new…