All Roll Calls
Yes: 65 • No: 38
IdahoS 14352026 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET
APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – Relates to the maintenance appropriations to the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2027.
Sponsored By: FINANCE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
APPROPRIATIONS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
FY27 funding for health programs
For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, Idaho funds the Department of Health and Welfare with $5.66 billion. Medicaid gets $4.98 billion. Other key amounts: Youth Safety & Permanency $121.55 million; Early Learning $101.86 million; Public Health $105.65 million; Welfare $132.34 million; Psychiatric Hospitalization $68.30 million; Mental Health $43.15 million. Licensing, substance‑use treatment, indirect support, Independent Councils, and the State Independent Living Council also receive named budgets. This money keeps benefits and services running during FY 2027.
State pays school for children in custody
The law makes Health and Welfare responsible for schooling for certain children in its custody. When a court places a school‑age child in the Department’s custody for child protection or mental‑health reasons, the Department pays for education at the facility if that is best for the child. The facility must be a licensed residential treatment center with a nonpublic accredited school. The Department pays per student, per educational day.
Guardrails for mental‑health hospital funds
Money for Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Hospitalization can move between those two divisions, but not to others without lawmakers’ approval. For FY 2027, the Department may move unlimited funds into the Community Hospitalization Program from other Department programs.
Medicaid tracking and tighter fund rules
Medicaid must send a monthly budget‑to‑spend report and next‑year forecast to state budget offices. Budget requests must match the latest forecast. For FY 2027, benefit‑payment funds cannot be moved to other expense classes. Inside Medicaid, the Department may move benefit‑payment money by more than 10% among the Coordinated, Enhanced, Basic, Expansion plans, and Medicaid Administration/Medical Management, but not out of Medicaid.
Cost‑sharing for higher‑income Medicaid kids
Families with gross taxable income over 185% and up to 300% of the federal poverty level must pay cost‑sharing for children’s Medicaid services listed in House Bill 43. The Department applies the maximum cost‑sharing allowed under federal rules.
Services limited to available funding
The Department provides services only as money and staff are available for each program. If funding runs out in a program, services can be limited or paused.
Medicaid managed care timeline and plan
The law gives the Department until July 1, 2027 to file all federal approvals for comprehensive Medicaid managed care. It must report progress by December 1, 2026. Current managed care stays in place until a new plan replaces it.
Stronger oversight of DHW spending
The State Controller may shift General Fund money to the Cooperative Welfare Fund when approved to keep programs running. Crisis centers must report their funding sources by December 31, 2026. DHW must report large acquisitions involving the Governor’s Office within 30 business days and review rules under Section 56‑202 by December 31, 2026. Purpose‑specific funds are subject to audits and accountability reviews.
Minimum CAPTA funds for review panels
At least $42,000 in federal CAPTA funds goes each year to Idaho’s seven public health districts for citizen review panels. Each district gets one‑seventh of the total.
More prevention funds for tobacco and vaping
$2.1 million goes to public health districts for tobacco, vape, and substance prevention and quit help. Another $2.406 million funds Project Filter for the same goals. Project Filter money cannot be used for sponsorships or passive ads.
More support to recruit rural doctors
On July 1, 2026, the state transfers $640,000 to the Rural Physician Incentive Fund. The money supports recruiting and keeping doctors in rural Idaho during FY 2027.
Youth drug‑prevention grant with safeguards
Idaho Drug Free Youth receives $250,000 for youth prevention: an annual summit, chapters, and school coordinators. DHW pays four $62,500 installments by July 15, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Jan 15, 2027; and Apr 15, 2027. The group must file reports, and DHW can hold back or recover funds for noncompliance or misuse.
Limits on Health and Welfare spending and staffing
Beginning July 1, 2026, all Health and Welfare appropriations must follow this act’s conditions and limits. The law caps full‑time jobs by program for FY 2027 (examples: 500.53 Youth Safety & Permanency; 609.50 Welfare; 303.50 Medicaid; 300.41 State Hospital South). Adding positions needs the Governor’s approval and quick notice to JFAC. The Department cannot spend money to carry out any rule it has formally flagged for repeal in its required report.
Naloxone grant limited to first responders
State Opioid Response grant money for naloxone is only for first responders, for use in Idaho. Community groups cannot use this grant to get naloxone under this law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
C. Scott Grow
Republican • Senate
Josh Tanner
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/30/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 25
Senate vote • 3/26/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 22 • No: 13
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor on 04/02/26 Session Law Chapter 271 Effective: 04/02/2026 SECTION 25; 07/01/2026 SECTION 1-24, 26 & 27
4/2/2026Reported delivered to Governor at 1:24 p.m. on 04/01/26
4/1/2026Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor
4/1/2026Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
4/1/2026HouseReported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
3/31/2026SenateReturned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
3/31/2026SenateRules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 43-25-2
3/30/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/30/2026HouseRead First Time, Filed for Second Reading
3/27/2026HouseReceived from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
3/27/2026HouseRules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – PASSED - 22-13-0
3/26/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/26/2026SenateReported Printed; referred to Finance
3/26/2026SenateIntroduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
3/25/2026Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
Related Bills
S 1362, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2027.
S 1444, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DIVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORT – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1336, EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding civics education.
S 1454, APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH SAFETY AND PERMANENCY, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1438, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY DIVISION – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for fiscal year 2027.
S 1446, APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare and the Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027.