[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6371357,"mediaKeyId","2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d","parentId",2150037,"title","Public Utilities Commission seeks commissioner pay increase, highlights recordkeeping and replacement needs","audioSeconds",354,"startMs",5259000,"endMs",5613000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d&start=5259&end=5613","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d/thumbnail_5259000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371357/Idaho/Public-Utilities-Commission-seeks-commissioner-pay-increase-highlights-recordkeeping-and-replacement-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371357-dd67b8bca8417f2f8ebf3b53493dbe0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440235&Signature=npdCAlqQRMu7mCpEL~CH-6dy3as~BJMZro06gAjy~t~PSiP1FytTCaOWOXnNw0BtPLmHRjPfumox29CiDquFcfO5RW1VGzy27prXbdzMvn5~qJzWbr-4QHSgO8PHSvYXBUPu7AAmdQeLnleII4rp~GP7UGaKNJVLxfEFzKyKea0my0HIXfuwvByu6Qkv2b-ILG8OWdDyzX2zYLB8dWNWw12pgOL0nh1hdAlfJtqqLgpkEnfIfh5nIwmfYA8pwNR~UxLRK3Tlyqj0fwGug6FhlWA2~T0uwuCVRhojEercwv3vV3lfxWgbCdhw9a3PPeVauRdpAcAo3BrFmMv1VCQtRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Joint Legislative","date","2025-01-24T00:00:00Z","article","Kellan McGurkin, a Legislative Services budget analyst, presented the Public Utilities Commission’s FY2026 budget and highlighted a governor recommendation to increase commissioners’ statutory salaries by 5 percent, plus one-time items for a pipeline safety truck and IT/hardware replacements.

Commissioner pay and statutory authority

The PUC’s authority comes from titles 61 and 62 of Idaho Code, McGurkin noted. He explained that commissioner salaries are set in statute (Section 61-215 of Idaho Code), so any change requires statutory modification. For FY2026 the governor recommended a $23,100 ongoing increase (a 5% adjustment as presented by the governor) to commissioners’ pay; the committee may adopt a different figure.

Operations, revenues and recordkeeping

McGurkin briefed the committee on the commission’s financing model: the PUC is funded through assessments on regulated utilities (special regulatory fees) and does not use general funds; the commission maintains a fund balance target around 60% of total appropriation to handle biannual payouts from utilities. The PUC has 48 authorized FTE, including three commissioners, and reported four vacant positions and an approximate 84% filled FTE over five years. McGurkin said the agency spends about 75% of its budget on personnel and described operating costs such as statewide cost allocation adjustments and attorney-general reimbursements.

Commissioner Eric Anderson, president of the PUC, described the commission’s regional engagement (transmission and market discussions) and noted that filings and historical records are kept and consolidated into the official record; he said the commission maintains secure records going back to 1913 and that four administrative staff handle current document management and filings.

One-time replacements and IT

PUC requested one-time dedicated fund items totaling $114,100, including $40,500 to replace a pipeline safety truck and $73,600 for IT-related hardware and licensing recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services (14 laptops, one desktop, five network switches, document-management licensing and other items).

Ending

McGurkin said the governor recommended the requested items and is available to answer further questions. Commissioner Anderson encouraged committee members to contact PUC policy staff on regulatory matters and thanked the committee for reviewing the budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Meeting January 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","PUC staff outlined a FY2026 request that includes a governor-recommended 5% increase for commissioner salaries (statutorily set) and one-time dedicated fund requests for vehicle replacement and IT/hardware licensing; commissioners also described regional work and record management.","taxTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, JOINT, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",28593,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371361,"Veterans services seeks temporary nursing pool, highlights Build America Buy America delay on home rebuilds",305,3801000,4106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d&start=3801&end=4106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d/thumbnail_3801000.jpg","/articles/6371361/Idaho/Veterans-services-seeks-temporary-nursing-pool-highlights-Build-America-Buy-America-delay-on-home-rebuilds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371361-c3cfa533fbc0927847c734811dc918cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440235&Signature=X7WQKyGbh63NLAWeOkNUaw5cp1J5M31k5M7WaTqqRmj5HlcogOnuBkufRrTylAf0~0EoKYlf0fCjgt1mZutBqZ~8Y1J0VlQqvia~fSkdSwd7QsdxZhdYr8ljQ12ajroNfHwb3fzM4tddWqK2x-n9-aRX7eO8hDGcPPIdnX9wmoZnWexGZ8~KPul67ghAOi3562v~r1zHoLUDGMdTgEcjVufn3nSygNCMwECU~RhpDojmGgc-4jmVT7Z-xU-yjGzC-TtRxOSC9X02w8LRwoX25~8IomP0DqLQb2UnXe5sdcUxOyLsqLDRDg477TPwv86lczUUaTG48Ei7zDAagM~Flw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Chample, chief administrator for the Idaho Division of Veteran Services, briefed the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on staffing and capital requests for FY2026, saying the agency would pilot a temporary nursing pool to reduce reliance on higher-cost contract nurses and that federally funded construction projects have been delayed by Build America, Buy America compliance issues.

Staffing pilot to reduce contracted nursing costs

The division requested a net transfer of about $1,200,000 from operating to personnel to create a pool of 22 temporary benefited state employees to perform nursing shifts now largely covered by contracted agencies. \"This would allow the division to shift approximately one third of the agency's reliance on contracted temporary nursing staff to a pool of 22 temporary and benefited state employees,\" Frances Lippett said during the presentation. Administrator Chample told the committee the temporary pool is a pilot to reduce premium spending on contract labor. He said contracted staff can cost roughly three times the amount of state staff and that the pilot could save an estimated $600,000 per year if filled.

Committee members sought pay and market details

Senator Ward Engelking and others asked whether state-employed nurses are paid competitively versus contract nurses. Lippett and Chample said the division conducts regular market analyses and sets competitive wages regionally; Chample added that the division has been more competitive than national averages, pointing to a 34% turnover rate at the division compared with a national nursing turnover figure mentioned in the hearing. Officials acknowledged they would provide more detailed comparisons of contract rates versus state pay on follow-up.

Capital projects and Build America, Buy America

Lippett said the division received $43.1 million in federal appropriation for State Home Grant funding to rebuild the Boise veterans home and renovate Lewiston’s home, but the grants have not been received because the department has been unable to secure a waiver under the Build America, Buy America Act. Administrator Chample described the program goals: converting multi-bed rooms to single-bed, single-bath rooms to improve resident quality of life and infection control. He said the federal share is approximately 65% with a 35% state match. \"The federal VA decided that they were not going to fund our projects if we were not Build America Buy America Act compliant,\" Chample said; he added the division has pursued a waiver and that the VA has indicated support but had not yet granted the waiver at the time of the hearing.

Other requests and operational context

The division also asked for ongoing IT maintenance and licensing costs recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services and one-time replacements across vehicles, medical equipment, kitchen appliances and building equipment. Lippett said the division averaged about $31.1 million in personnel cost appropriation over five years and spent about 84% of personnel appropriations on personnel in FY2024. She noted a 35% turnover rate for skilled nursing staff and that the division fully expended personnel costs from the general fund in FY2024.

Ending

Chample highlighted the division’s veteran advocacy work and high resident satisfaction rates, and thanked the committee for past support. He said the temporary-nurse pool is a pilot and the division will report back on results and provide requested contract-rate comparisons.","Division of Veteran Services told JFAC it plans to pilot 22 temporary benefited nursing positions to reduce costly contract labor and said federal Build America Buy America requirements — and delays in a VA waiver — have stalled Boise rebuild and Lewiston renovation funding.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371362,"Idaho Military Division seeks supplemental funding for vehicle upgrades, public-safety communications and hazmat equipment",642,1598000,2240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d&start=1598&end=2240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d/thumbnail_1598000.jpg","/articles/6371362/Idaho/Idaho-Military-Division-seeks-supplemental-funding-for-vehicle-upgrades-public-safety-communications-and-hazmat-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371362-8201731618b945f1af858b56552884fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440235&Signature=oaegO-W9wz4pPc65At68XT4EEIbipKX-9rSBchG9qvfuzfXbUAfbSGJVELKqeic-q2~Vp4JHMvIauULNYP4lcx4NF2g6VhUtt4EChGYDDwblUV~ELkElvaX8W6k2VXKqtNOd94lc05EzVXEAfzxA9OC1oC4itrA~3zBP9BRywtYeu9n4xFK12tB7JTpNKvekqI5JdEwyChkD5wcf-yTokXj-hNFXVSngyRyhySjCQ2mUAN1G7y9uP~SYXfrCEcJQHByVtdA0tN9QTCl3gQf1V76spTw9GMSF0EuCVl4peiSlY-jNWoSXG~wZR0H2hs2QeiRrCMCJ0JS6NHnN6CeEDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Major General Tim Donillon, the adjutant general and commander of the Idaho National Guard, described the Idaho Military Division’s FY2026 funding needs, emphasizing supplemental requests to clear a backlog of vehicles, improve public-safety communications infrastructure and provide new hazardous-materials response equipment for regional teams.

Timing and vehicle backlog

Committee members pressed why the requests were presented as supplementals rather than routine enhancements. Donillon and military staff said the supplemental timing reflects an urgent operational need to process an influx of vehicles that arrived after a supply-chain delay for vehicle components (notably vehicle communications equipment). \"We got a flood of them at one time,\" Donillon said. The supplemental was split into two parts: private-contract work to clear the backlog and construction work to add installation capacity at existing facilities. The committee was told the private contract clears the backlog more quickly, while construction funding would create additional bays so multiple vehicles could be worked on concurrently.

Public-safety communications and IT

The division seeks funding to modernize servers and separate the public-safety microwave network from the state ITS network. Donillon explained the division is \"separating the public safety network through our microwave system from ITS\" and said that will require hardware and installation costs. The governor recommended funding for IT infrastructure and licensing that would allow public-safety communications to establish its own network independent of ITS for improved security.

Hazmat regional equipment and execution

Representative Petzke asked about an $8,600,000 governor-recommended appropriation for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to distribute equipment and training to seven regional hazmat teams. Donillon said the division has not updated hazmat equipment since about 2005 and the governor’s recommendation would fund new equipment and training distributed through OEM. \"So this request ... is directly to support our first responders for hazmat response,\" Donillon said, noting the regional teams respond to events ranging from vehicle spills to meth-lab cleanups and the propane spill on Highway 95 between New Meadows and Riggins.

Costs, execution and quality-control concerns

Committee members asked whether contracting out vehicle installation is cheaper than expanding state facilities and staff. Donillon’s team said contracting a backlog-clearing vendor is about twice as expensive per vehicle, and that vehicles returned from contractors often require state quality-control work because panels, radios or wiring did not meet Idaho standards.

What matters: public safety and readiness

The division emphasized the request supports trooper safety and operational readiness. Donillon said radios and communications are essential to troopers and other first responders; legislators and staff described prior tours where the committee saw the backlog firsthand and urged timely resolution.

Ending

The adjutant general closed by thanking the committee for past support and noting the diverse state and federal missions of the Idaho Military Division; he and the division staff agreed to provide additional detail on staffing and procurement timing as requested by committee members.","Adjutant General and staff told the committee the FY2026 request includes supplements to clear a backlog of vehicles awaiting communications installs, IT infrastructure changes to separate public-safety networks, and $8.6 million for regional hazardous-materials response equipment and training.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371363,"Idaho Agriculture Department details budget increases tied to quagga mussel response and investigator pay",716,122000,838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d&start=122&end=838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150037-eaf84d4c141493f8f1f32792095bec7d/thumbnail_122000.jpg","/articles/6371363/Idaho/Idaho-Agriculture-Department-details-budget-increases-tied-to-quagga-mussel-response-and-investigator-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371363-f2d0a0f5ed54df506a591cb47fa76aae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440235&Signature=eXkC6tTACjotKj6l5bsk8LXViq0A-XjcWievcrtmD8nGvMbPpu9WBJ1ltsI9EiLulOthoqJCuZ1a8vtlz5yiNStmHReB2jgXv5BgsJVVzPv9T7umeOMwffiOCzRDwJ1GBKL~vK3qbSsBrBk3yfijDWqijy6zj-6825U23-toVqrBGg11esnsY8Ndrj0UW2C8bCtMJZYCd8TNIOeWy0Ob4EzGjgBekHIduT-xMeBl-xGZboLSsocjErKUQ1oj-A-ArBHfqO1zZ0UYrTbMIYK4Cv0fh11OEAgz8EJfkzgALcK-TfYyUTIxQu0AhTMr5I160nAw~vg2IOTfqjDgrAjZZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s fiscal 2026 request includes targeted funding to address invasive quagga mussels and to shore up investigator pay and equipment.

Lippett said the legislature approved a $5,000,000 cash infusion from the general fund to the invasive species fund during the last session and that the governor recommended ongoing general fund support of about $1,500,000 for quagga mussel response to support staffing and check-station needs. \"The projected decline that you see in the fund balance reflects the extent of that effort rather than any decline in sticker fee revenue,\" Lippett said, referring to watercraft sticker fees that primarily fund the invasive species program.

The department’s director, Chanel Tewell, told the committee the agency doubled statewide water sampling and nearly doubled the number of watercraft inspections after the 2023 detection on the Snake River. \"We asked for funding and ... to add three more stations,\" Tewell said. \"What we did with adding three more stations and expanding the work at every station was to almost double the amount of watercraft we inspected last year compared to the year before.\" She said the extra work included more personnel and communications at check stations.

Why it matters: the quagga mussel actions are the main driver of a notable one-time and ongoing increase in the department’s appropriation. Committee members asked analysts and the director where the money comes from and how it will be spent.

Budget and personnel details

Lippett reviewed the department’s structure and finances, saying the agency is organized into eight budgeted programs and is authorized 231 full-time-equivalent positions (FTE), above a five-year average of 220.7 FTE. She reported the department maintained about a 91% staffing rate and spent roughly 76%–83% of appropriations in recent years. \"In fiscal year 2024 the department expended a total of $42,986,900; 59.5 percent of that was in personnel costs,\" she said.

For FY2026 the department requested $518,300 in ongoing enhancements, including $340,400 to create a pay structure for 53 agricultural investigator senior positions. Lippett said 23 of those investigators have been with the department less than two years, and nine have 10 or more years of experience; the requested pay structure is intended as a career ladder to improve retention. The department also requested change-in-employee-compensation (CEC) adjustments for fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) inspectors; those inspector positions are not covered by the statewide CEC decision, she said.

Replacement items requested for FY2026 include $1.1 million on a one-time basis (about $891,000 for vehicle replacement and $214,700 for IT hardware such as laptops). Director Tewell confirmed the department would provide a vehicle list when asked by Representative Mitchell and said she believed the replacement count was about 17 vehicles, “most of which are pickup trucks and a couple of SUVs.”

Funding mechanics and clarifications

Committee members asked why the budget presentation showed a $10,000,000 appropriation and then a $5,000,000 net reduction. Lippett explained that when the general fund makes a cash transfer there must be an appropriation in both the receiving dedicated fund and in the general fund; the net effect is the $5,000,000 state cost shown on the consolidated page. She described certain dedicated funds (for example the invasive species fund, funded primarily by a watercraft sticker fee) and noted the legislature approved the $5,000,000 general fund infusion and an ongoing $1.5 million general-fund appropriation for quagga response.

On the pest control fund, Lippett said a balance of about $1,700,000 shown on the slides was incurred in FY2024 and was being requested for payment in FY2025 due to Mormon cricket treatment and monitoring costs.

What remained unsettled

Several legislators asked for follow-up material: Representative Mitchell requested a vehicle list and counts; Senator Cook and others asked for status updates on quagga mussel sampling and the outlook for ongoing costs; Representative Tanner flagged a line in the department’s submission that he thought showed Department of Justice or Health and Human Services revenue flowing into a victim-services account and asked for clarification. Director Tewell acknowledged possible typographical or slide errors and offered to follow up.

Ending

Tewell thanked the committee and emphasized the investigator pay proposal and the invasive species response as priorities, saying high turnover among investigators is costly to the farming community because those investigators are \"the first responders\" to complaints. Lippett concluded the department’s presentation and said analysts would provide requested follow-up details to committee members.","Department of Agriculture officials told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that FY2026 requests include funding for quagga mussel response, investigator pay structure changes and vehicle and IT replacement; legislators pressed for details on funding sources and vehicle counts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Utilities Commission seeks commissioner pay increase, highlights recordkeeping and replacement needs

Veterans services seeks temporary nursing pool, highlights Build America Buy America delay on home rebuilds

Idaho Military Division seeks supplemental funding for vehicle upgrades, public-safety communications and hazmat equipment

Idaho Agriculture Department details budget increases tied to quagga mussel response and investigator pay