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JFAC approves veterans-services enhancements and reappropriation authority for veterans home construction
Summary
The committee approved FY2026 budget changes for the Division of Veteran Services, including a transfer to fund temporary nursing staff, IT and capital requests, replacement items and reappropriation authority for federal construction grants to replace and renovate veterans homes.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved FY2026 budget adjustments for the Division of Veteran Services on Feb. 14, including funding shifts for staffing and reappropriation authority for federal construction grants.
Frances Lippitt presented the division's request, noting the division operates veterans homes in Boise, Lewiston, Post Falls and Pocatello, manages state veterans cemeteries and provides medical and assisted-living care to veterans. The division requested a $1.2 million transfer from operating expenditures to personnel costs to create a temporary nursing staffing pool, IT maintenance and licensing funding, capital outlay for Post Falls and cemetery equipment, replacement items including vehicles and building improvements, and reappropriation authority for federal construction grant funding for Boise and Lewiston veterans homes.
Senator Woodward moved the FY2026 package, which included a modest general fund increase ($21,800), dedicated funds increases ($588,400) and federal funds ($98,800) for a total net increase of $709,000; Representative Handy seconded. The motion passed with a recorded tally of 19 ayes, 1 nay in the Senate and unanimous support in the House, totaling 19 ayes, 1 nay, 0 absent excused; the motion carried and will carry a due-pass recommendation.
The motion also included reappropriation authority not to exceed $111,488,600 in federal construction grant funds from FY2025 into FY2026 for replacing the Boise Veterans Home and renovating the Lewiston Veterans Home. The committee did not amend the request and moved it forward with due-pass recommendation.
