JFAC roundup: liquor division, finance examiners, labor reports, ITD correction and Fish & Game supplements cleared

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 20 approved a number of relatively brief or technical actions across multiple agencies. Below are short summaries of each action, the motion language as recorded in committee, and vote outcomes.

Idaho State Liquor Division — pay and replacement requests: The committee approved a motion to add a package of enhancements for the State Liquor Division including a $57,400 ongoing adjustment to pay part-time retail staff, $72,000 ongoing for shrink-wrap pallet requirements, website accessibility upgrades, IT and security replacement items, and retail replacement items and vehicle replacements. The motion moved an additional $644,400 from dedicated funds for FY2026 and carried with a combined committee vote of 15 ayes, 4 nays, 1 absent excused. Analyst: Kellen McGurkin.

Department of Finance — financial examiners and hardware: The committee approved four new full-time equivalent positions (four FTP across bureaus) for examiners covering IT, cybersecurity and forensic accounting specialties, and $52,600 for IT hardware. The motion moved an additional $642,800 from dedicated funds and four FTEs for FY2026; the motion passed with a combined tally of 15 ayes, 5 nays, 0 absent excused. Analyst: Noah Peterson.

Idaho Transportation Department (technical correction): Members approved a technical correction moving small dollar amounts between the State Highway Fund and the State Highway Dedicated Fund in two divisions to ensure appropriation from the correct fund. The technical correction was approved unanimously in committee (20 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent excused). Analyst: Brooke Dupree.

Department of Labor — intent language on E-Verify and disability determination: The committee adopted intent language requiring a Department of Labor report on the costs and benefits of using E-Verify and on the impact of illegal immigration on the labor market by Dec. 15, 2025; members debated data availability and whether data on immigration status is collectible. That language passed (combined committee tally 17 ayes, 3 nays). The committee also adopted separate language requesting a review of costs/benefits of administering disability determination services at the state level versus federal level; that language passed as well (combined tally 18 ayes, 2 nays). Analysts: Mr. Pree / Budget & Policy staff.

Fish and Game — supplemental appropriations for wildfire response and restoration: The committee approved a FY2025 one-time appropriation of $270,000 from the Fish and Game expendable trust fund to cover immediate wildfire response costs in the Boise River Wildlife Management Area. The committee also approved a FY2026 one-time appropriation of $800,000 from the Fish and Game expendable trust fund to cover restoration and hazardous-treatment work agreed to in a settlement for the Valley Fire area; both measures passed with strong bipartisan support (combined tallies: FY2025 supplemental — 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent excused; FY2026 appropriation — 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent excused). Analyst: Janet Jessup.

Procedure and next steps: All approved items will be forwarded with due-pass recommendations. The committee recorded roll-call votes for each item; full motion text, roll-call tallies, and any adopted language are recorded in the committee packet on the Legislative Services Office site and will appear in the bill files forwarded to the floor and the enrolling process.