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IdahoS 13632026 regular legislative sessionSenate

APPROPRIATIONS – NATURAL RESOURCES – Relates to the maintenance appropriation to Natural Resources for fiscal year 2027.

Sponsored By: FINANCE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

APPROPRIATIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

FY2027 natural resources funding set

The law provides $484,547,600 for natural resources agencies for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Agencies can spend as listed in the bill for operations, projects, and grants during FY2027.

ARPA grants for water systems

The law limits ARPA grants for drinking water and wastewater construction to no more than $325,000,000. DEQ gives grants that favor systems with the most need, based on size, user rates, median income, and readiness. Projects must have costs after March 3, 2021 and finish construction before December 31, 2026; cost overruns on some state‑loan projects can be covered. DEQ must send recipient updates upon board approval and report results by January 12, 2027. Any unspent ARPA funds already given to DEQ are reappropriated for FY2027 one‑time water and cleanup projects.

Endowment income for schools, institutions

The law moves $117,278,400 from earnings reserve funds into endowment income funds for FY2027. Transfers include $72,366,000 for public schools and listed amounts for colleges and state institutions. The Endowment Fund Investment Board also has continuous authority to pay investment and custodial fees during the year.

Aquifer recharge and flood grants

The law transfers $5,000,000 to the Secondary Aquifer Fund for recharge and management in FY2027. It also adds $1,000,000 to the Water Management Fund for competitive, matching grants for data, monitoring, and flood‑risk projects. The Department of Water Resources must report results by December 5, 2026.

More water projects, with guardrails

The state transfers $30,000,000 to the Water Management Fund for FY2027. The Water Resource Board must focus funding on aquifer recharge, storage and conveyance, efficiency and conservation, and emergency repairs. No more than 50% of a year’s funds can go to one Board district unless no other districts apply.

Agency staff caps and audit rules

The law caps full-time staff for FY2027: DEQ 375.00; Fish and Game 550.00; Endowment Board 4.00; Lands 334.93; Parks 195.80; Water Resources 171.00. Money named in law must be used only for its stated purpose. Agencies are subject to accountability reviews, and outside audit reports must be sent to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee.

Lake commissions keep FY2027 funding

DEQ cannot cut the FY2027 General Fund allocations for the Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River Commission, or the Bear Lake Regional Commission. Their funding levels for that year stay in place.

Parks project funding flexibility

Any unspent FY2026 parks capital money is reappropriated for FY2027 one‑time projects. Parks and Recreation can move awarded grant payments from operations to capital outlay to finish projects. Moving money between different funds still needs legislative approval.

Cleanup and farm water quality funds

The state sends $1,500,000 to the Environmental Remediation (Basin) Fund for Coeur d’Alene Basin Superfund cleanup and $279,000 to the Agricultural Best Management Practices Fund for FY2027. Basin Fund dollars must be used under the EPA Superfund agreement. DEQ must file a yearly cleanup report to the Governor, Legislature, and the Basin Commission.

Flexible wildfire protection spending

For FY2027, the Department of Lands can shift money across expense lines within the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program. It cannot move money between different funds without the Legislature’s approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • FINANCE COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Steve Miller

    Republican • House

  • Glenneda Zuiderveld

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 90 • No: 13

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 62 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 28 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/17/26 Session Law Chapter 34 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/18/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 4:10 p.m. on 03/16/26

    3/17/2026

  3. Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor

    3/16/2026

  4. Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate

    3/16/2026House

  5. Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker

    3/13/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/12/2026Senate

  7. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 62-6-2

    3/12/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/11/2026House

  9. Read First Time, Filed for Second Reading

    3/10/2026House

  10. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    3/10/2026House

  11. Read third time in full – PASSED - 28-7-0

    3/10/2026Senate

  12. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  13. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  14. Reported Printed; referred to Finance

    3/5/2026Senate

  15. Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing

    3/4/2026Senate

Bill Text

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