Lawmakers review Permanent Building Fund projects; committee pressed on deferred maintenance and timelines

BOISE, Idaho — The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee examined the Permanent Building Fund budget Monday, reviewing dozens of capital and maintenance requests and pressing Division of Public Works staff on project timing and execution.

Frances Lippett, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the Permanent Building Fund is structured to accommodate multi‑year projects: "Projects receive an appropriation once, and at the end of the fiscal year, any unexpended funds become continuously appropriated pursuant to section 57‑1105 of Idaho code," she said.

Why it matters: the fund supports construction and facilities maintenance for state agencies and higher‑education institutions. Lippett said the total value of active public works projects is about $1.9 billion, of which roughly $1.4 billion is capital projects; she said about 42% of capital project funding has been committed to contracts or vendors.

Recommended requests and highlights: the fiscal 2026 public works recommendation…