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Attorney General Labrador urges restoration of $980,000 to avoid staff furloughs, cites ICAC and consumer recovery results
Summary
Attorney General Raul Labrador asked the joint committee to restore $980,000 of recent reductions, saying cuts would force furloughs or elimination of positions; he highlighted ICAC improvements, increased arrests and a three‑year total of $242 million recovered or settled for Idaho taxpayers.
Attorney General Raul Labrador told the joint committee that recent reductions to his office's maintenance budget—a combination of a governor 3% holdback and an additional committee reduction—resulted in a $1.6 million ongoing cut to the office. "I'm asking for $980,000 of that reduction to be restored so we can continue doing the great work my attorneys and staff are doing," Labrador said, warning the cuts otherwise would require 11–14 furlough days for hundreds of employees or eliminating 12 positions.
Labrador outlined several operational improvements his office has made without asking for significant additional funding, including restructuring the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit. He said the ICAC backlog of unreviewed cyber tips was eliminated and new tips are reviewed within 24 hours. "The ICAC unit made more arrests in 2024 than the previous three years combined," Labrador said.
Jeff Nye, chief of the criminal division, told lawmakers the nation has seen increases in these crimes and that Idaho is both seeing a higher volume of incidents and improving success at identifying and arresting offenders.
On fiscal returns, Labrador said his office has recovered or settled $242,000,000 for Idaho taxpayers over the last three years. Committee members asked for a breakdown and for supporting documentation, and Labrador agreed to provide a list of the cases and the timing of recoveries.
Lawmakers also questioned the AG about staffing, vacancy rates and whether actual spending was less than appropriation; Janica Bisharat, a budget analyst with the Legislative Services Office, said appropriated money may be reverted or reallocated when positions are vacant and that about 93% fill rates and 5% reversion/movement have been typical in recent years.
Members thanked the Attorney General for assistance on high‑profile prosecutions and for the ICAC and consumer protection work but pressed for more precise expenditure and recovery details; Labrador said his office would supply the requested lists and follow‑up material.
The committee did not vote on Labrador's request during the hearing; budget settings remain scheduled.
