PRIA Logo™
IdahoS 13732026 regular legislative sessionSenate

APPROPRIATIONS – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Relates to the maintenance appropriation to Economic Development for fiscal year 2027.

Sponsored By: FINANCE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

APPROPRIATIONS

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Reimbursements for victims of mortgage violations

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho's Department of Finance has ongoing spending authority to reimburse victims of mortgage law violations. An Idaho court must make a final determination of actual damages under the Idaho Residential Mortgage Practices Act. The broker, lender, or loan originator must be licensed or required to hold a license under that law. The law sets no standard payment amount.

Unused money funds Idaho broadband projects

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Commerce can reuse unspent, uncommitted fiscal year 2026 broadband money. The limits are $33.0669 million from the Idaho Broadband Fund and $89.0111 million from the ARPA Capital Projects Fund. Another $150 million is available from the Federal Grant Fund. This money covers one-time broadband infrastructure costs, and the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board directs ARPA and federal broadband grant allocations. The law provides no direct household payments and does not identify which areas get improved service.

Compensation funding for livestock owners

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho transfers $225,000 from its General Fund to the Depredation of Livestock and Prevention Fund. The fiscal year 2027 transfer supports compensation for livestock losses caused by grizzly bears or wolves. This provision does not set an individual payment amount.

Boat inspections help protect Idaho waters

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho's agriculture department must maximize inspection funding to prevent zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and other invasive species. The law encourages roving inspection stations and expanded holiday staffing. The department must track boats bypassing stations and crossing borders at night, and seek federal funding. During the 2027 legislative session, it must report the data, federal funding results, and a review of station operations.

Equal payments help local conservation districts

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission must split $300,000 equally among Idaho's 50 conservation districts. Each district receives $6,000, in addition to amounts authorized under existing law. These payments go to districts, not directly to households.

Ongoing funding for bridges and crossings

Beginning July 1, 2026, transferred money in two transportation accounts is available without annual appropriations. The accounts are the Local Bridge Inspection Account and Railroad Grade Crossing Protection Account. Idaho's transportation department must use each account's money only for its stated purpose. The law sets no total funding amount.

Licensing agency gains program spending flexibility

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, Idaho's licensing division can move appropriated money among programs without usual transfer limits. Moving legislative appropriations between funds still requires express legislative approval. This changes agency spending flexibility, not household payments or license eligibility.

Ongoing funding supports lottery prize payments

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho Lottery has ongoing spending authority for prizes and retailer commissions without annual appropriations. It also covers advertising, promotions, and gaming supplier fees based on sales. The law sets no total funding amount or standard household payment.

State spending gets purpose and audit safeguards

Beginning July 1, 2026, agencies must use money reserved by law for a specific purpose only for that purpose. Accountability reports and management reviews depend on the Legislative Services Office auditor having enough resources. Agencies authorized to obtain outside audits must send available reports to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee when ready.

Insurance agency cannot fund outside staff

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, Idaho's Department of Insurance cannot fund other state agencies' personnel costs. The ban covers both payments and reimbursements using money appropriated to the department by this law.

State agencies face staffing limits

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, covered agencies must stay within listed full-time-equivalent staffing limits. Limits include Agriculture: 230; Labor: 644; Veterans Services: 429.10; State Public Defender: 333.96; Transportation: 1,645; and Occupational and Professional Licenses: 267.20. The Governor must specifically authorize additional positions. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee must receive prompt notice of any approved increase.

Public defense funding and county space duties

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the State Appellate Public Defender can reuse unused, uncommitted fiscal year 2026 General Fund money. Up to $1.1694 million covers one-time capital-case representation costs; up to $52,900 covers one-time outside-lawyer costs for noncapital appeals. Starting July 1, 2026, counties that provided public-defense offices on January 1, 2023, must keep providing space until July 1, 2029. The space must be the same or substantially similar and include parking. The state public defender's office must reimburse parking at a reasonable rate, capped at the county employee rate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • FINANCE COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Phil Hart

    Republican • Senate

  • Elaine Price

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 80 • No: 22

House vote • 3/16/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 54 • No: 15

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 26 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/19/26 Session Law Chapter 70 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/19/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 4:06 p.m. on 03/18/26

    3/19/2026

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

    3/18/2026

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

    3/18/2026House

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

    3/17/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/17/2026Senate

  7. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 54-15-1

    3/16/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/13/2026House

  9. Read First Time, Filed for Second Reading

    3/12/2026House

  10. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    3/12/2026House

  11. Read third time in full – PASSED - 26-7-2

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/10/2026Senate

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

    3/9/2026Senate

  14. Reported Printed; referred to Finance

    3/6/2026Senate

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

    3/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation