Fish and Game requests $18.2 million in largely one‑time enhancements; seeks funds for fire rehabilitation and website overhaul

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it has requested $18,184,900 in enhancements for fiscal 2026, of which agency staff said roughly 88% are one‑time items, including replacement equipment, office remodels, and website and license‑system work. The agency also described a recent Valley Fire rehabilitation effort and explained apparent swings in license‑fund balances as the product of federal grant billing and planned one‑time expenditures.

Legislative analyst Janet Jessup said Fish and Game is funded entirely by dedicated and federal funds, not general fund dollars, and that the agency is allocated about 550 FTP. Jessup said the department operates 19 state run hatchery facilities and that trustee and benefit payments—largely federal—comprise a large share of recent expenditures.

Director…