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IdahoS 14272026 regular legislative sessionSenate

APPROPRIATIONS – DEPARTMENT OF LANDS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Lands for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Sponsored By: FINANCE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

APPROPRIATIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Idaho can shift more wildfire money

The Department of Lands can make unlimited transfers from its other programs into Forest and Range Fire Protection. The law removes the usual program-transfer limit for money appropriated for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. It provides the same flexibility for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. The first year's authority took effect immediately upon enactment; the second year's authority begins July 1, 2026. This changes how existing money can move, rather than adding money.

Idaho Geological Survey gets dedicated funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Lands must distribute $145,000 to the Idaho Geological Survey. This one-time payment comes from the Department of Lands Fund money appropriated for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. It supports the Survey, not direct payments to households.

Idaho firefighters face tighter bonus eligibility

Beginning July 1, 2026, the department can use this law's General Fund money for bonuses only for qualified firefighters. Their incident qualification card must include an operational qualification. The law does not set a bonus amount or guarantee a bonus. The department must report 2026 fire-season bonus awards to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and Legislative Services Office's budget division. The report is due January 5, 2027.

Idaho adds personnel money, switches funds

The law adds $284,900 for Department of Lands personnel costs covering July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. Fire protection gets $124,900 from the General Fund; Minerals, Public Trust, Oil and Gas gets $160,000 from Navigable Waterways. It also removes $160,000 from the Department of Lands Fund for the same Minerals personnel costs. The Minerals changes switch the funding source, while the overall net increase is $124,900. These changes took effect immediately upon enactment under the law's emergency clause.

Idaho lands funding includes personnel cuts

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the law provides $2.7242 million for five Idaho Department of Lands programs. Business Services gets $1.0931 million: $305,000 from the Department of Lands Fund, $147,200 from Navigable Waterways, and $640,900 from Endowment Earnings Administration. Forest Resources Management gets $5,000 from the Department of Lands Fund. Trust Land Management gets $725,800 from the Endowment Earnings Administrative Fund. Forest and Range Fire Protection gets $740,300: $140,300 from the General Fund and $600,000 from the Department of Lands Fund. Minerals, Public Trust, Oil and Gas gets $160,000 from the Navigable Waterways Fund. The law also cuts personnel funding by $307,200, leaving a net appropriation of $2.417 million. Those cuts are $147,200 from Endowment Earnings Administration for Business Services and $160,000 from the Department of Lands Fund for Minerals. Money must follow the assigned programs and spending categories; it is not a direct household payment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • FINANCE COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Cindy J. Carlson

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Miller

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 42

House vote • 3/27/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 33

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 258 Effective: 03/31/2026 SECTION 7-9; 07/01/2026 SECTION 1-6

    4/1/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 4:55 p.m. on 03/30/26

    3/31/2026

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

    3/30/2026

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

    3/30/2026House

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

    3/30/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/30/2026Senate

  7. Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 36-33-1

    3/27/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/27/2026House

  9. Read First Time, Filed for Second Reading

    3/26/2026House

  10. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    3/26/2026House

  11. Read third time in full – PASSED - 25-9-1

    3/26/2026Senate

  12. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/25/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026Senate

  14. Reported Printed; referred to Finance

    3/24/2026Senate

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

    3/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

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