Idaho insurance director reports wildfire pressure on market, PBM oversight under way; agency seeks actuary, fire marshal pay and equipment funding

The Idaho Department of Insurance told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 21 that wildfire losses and nationwide catastrophe costs are tightening property insurance markets and prompting the agency to seek targeted budget increases to support rate review, compliance work and fire prevention efforts.

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, summarized the department’s request for fiscal 2026, which includes a staff actuary (one ongoing FTP and $201,900 total, mostly personnel), a regulatory compliance specialist to provide internal legal and policy support, a $48,100 ongoing compensation increase for the state fire marshal and deputies, and $162,200 in one‑time capital outlay for replacement equipment including turnout gear, cameras and two medium‑duty pickup trucks.

Dean Cameron, director of the Department of Insurance, told the committee that premium tax distributions and a high‑risk reinsurance pool have helped stabilize individual market rates and attract carriers, but that recent nationwide catastrophes and inflation have strained the property market. “We started seeing…