All Roll Calls
Yes: 90 • No: 13
IdahoS 13632026 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET
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
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
ARPA water grants for small systems
The law provides up to $325 million in ARPA grants for drinking water and wastewater projects. DEQ prioritizes smaller systems, higher need, lower ability to pay, and readiness to build. Eligible costs must be after March 3, 2021, and projects must finish by December 31, 2026. DEQ must update lawmakers after Board approvals and report progress by January 12, 2027. Any unspent FY2026 ARPA water funds are reappropriated for one‑time project costs in FY2027.
FY2027 funding, staffing and oversight
The law provides $484.5 million for Natural Resources agencies for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. It sets job caps, like 375 FTE at Environmental Quality and 550 FTE at Fish and Game. Agencies must use money only for the stated purpose and are subject to audits and management reviews when auditors are available. Any outside audit reports must be sent to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee.
Endowment transfers to support schools
The Endowment Fund Investment Board transfers $117.28 million from earnings reserve funds into endowment income funds during FY2027, including $72.37 million for public schools. The Board also has continuous authority to pay consulting, custodial, and investment manager fees and other portfolio costs in FY2027.
More money for water supply projects
The State transfers $30 million to the Water Management Fund, $5 million to the Secondary Aquifer Fund, and $1 million for flood‑related matching grants on or after July 1, 2026. Projects can include aquifer recharge, storage and conveyance upgrades, efficiency, drought resiliency, and emergency repairs. No more than 50% of a year’s funds may go to one Water Resource Board district unless other districts have no competing requests. The Department of Water Resources must report by December 5, 2026.
Basin cleanup and regional water funding
Basin Fund dollars must pay for Coeur d'Alene Basin Superfund cleanup, and DEQ must report yearly on progress and spending. The State moves $1.5 million to the Basin Fund and $279,000 to the Agricultural BMP Fund on or after July 1, 2026. This act’s Water Pollution Control Fund appropriation governs DEQ spending for FY2027. DEQ cannot cut FY2027 General Fund support for the Lake Pend Oreille/Priest Lake and Bear Lake regional commissions.
Flexible funding for wildfire protection
The Department of Lands can move money between expense classes within the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program for FY2027. This flexibility helps match spending to fire needs. Money still cannot be moved between funds without legislative approval.
Parks capital projects move forward
Unspent FY2026 park capital balances carry into FY2027 for one‑time capital work. The State Controller must confirm amounts with the Legislative Services Office. Parks can move grant money from operations to capital to match awarded grants for FY2027. Money still cannot be moved between different funds without legislative approval.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Steve Miller
Republican • House
Glenneda Zuiderveld
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/12/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 62 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 28 • No: 7
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor on 03/17/26 Session Law Chapter 34 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/18/2026Reported delivered to Governor at 4:10 p.m. on 03/16/26
3/17/2026Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
3/16/2026HouseReported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
3/13/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 62-6-2
3/12/2026SenateRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/11/2026SenateRead third time in full – PASSED - 28-7-0
3/10/2026SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/9/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/6/2026SenateReported Printed; referred to Finance
3/5/2026SenateIntroduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
3/4/2026Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
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