[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6344218,"mediaKeyId","2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23","parentId",2251056,"title","Energy office seeks $24.5M federal for home‑rebates, proposes a 'Speed Council' to streamline permitting","audioSeconds",2084,"startMs",2248000,"endMs",4332000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23&start=2248&end=4332","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23/thumbnail_2248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344218/Idaho/Energy-office-seeks-245M-federal-for-homerebates-proposes-a-Speed-Council-to-streamline-permitting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344218-e33967beb1f4a7e2d06c7fecd05cedb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770849960&Signature=TNp22MFnGIs4X3RQUm42lpzms~hE~ZAY1Wqv1zuXggtQ1fGDUsO8mfrjveq-mzOu2U01eIA72WYssdxwBKH2pXgbcP8L7NCdV28vhJT3Y6w70cVPgthh~L6jKSnbqpVxE4-o8cfObcJNExGUUx5l0ke63ozzM9u8AeBjtRVtmC-o4tzD3dUYWUeA-bZYQhmpUNamKB-o2h5gYxjRsQbPfDqKMZ9SAsHwdXEFi7sXvPSm0dx4Xv25CqJo4ATnw4Rwz0h~63dTLFY5k04WU~CwXyl0eJXjKFglfZ4y8T97CLi04ZcVwNAM0LHDyeFWV~CBik08sBEGnvfS1OfB9mnmLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho House of Representatives","date","2025-02-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR) briefed the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on a bundle of grant administration requests, program growth tied to federal funds and a governor’s initiative to accelerate permitting for large infrastructure projects.

\"OMR's request is for an ongoing appropriation of federal funds for the amount of 24,500,000.0. Of that total, 20,000,000 is entrusting benefits to provide rebates. 4,000,000 is in operational cost for contracting with a third party implementer ... and 502,000 is for personnel costs to increase full time personnel by 4 FTP for limited service to administer and manage that program,\" Kellen McGurkin, a Legislative Service Office budget analyst, told the committee.

Why it matters: the office is managing growing federal grant rounds for grid resilience and energy-efficiency rebates. How the state designs administrative contracts, eligibility and caps on administrative spending will shape how much funding reaches households, utilities and infrastructure projects.

McGurkin reviewed fund histories: OEMR has relied on a Renewable Energy Resources Fund for certain receipts and on one‑time and federal transfers tied to the federal grid‑resilience program (POREG). He said the office received a $15,000,000 transfer in FY2022 representing a state match for the energy resiliency grants and has reappropriated that money in subsequent years. He also noted that federal appropriations to the office increased the agency’s ongoing base from roughly $1.5 million in FY2021 to about $12.6 million in FY2025 as OEMR ramped up grant activity.

On the Home Energy Rebates program created under the Inflation Reduction Act, McGurkin and Administrator Richard Stover described program components and the proposed funding split: the office seeks federal authorization to use $20 million in trustee and benefit payments for rebates, $4 million for contracting a third‑party implementer (software, eligibility verification) and roughly $502,000 for four limited‑term staff positions to manage the program.

Senators asked about administrative costs: several members compared the 20% administrative cap proposed for rebate implementation to typical managed‑care administrative rates (about 15%). Stover said the federal rules allow 20% for administrative costs and the office would competitively procure a third‑party implementer and could reduce administrative draws if awarded bids were lower.

The governor’s initiative included in the recommended budget would create a Speed Council, led by OEMR and including multiple state agencies, to streamline permitting and create a public dashboard tracking project timelines. The governor’s package requests $311,000 ongoing from the general fund for the council and associated staffing and $170,000 one‑time for dashboard development and start‑up costs.

Stover also discussed longer‑term strategy and supply: he told the committee Idaho’s energy demand is expected to rise substantially over the next 10–20 years (he cited a statewide need increase of 30–50% in that time) and said the office is studying advanced nuclear as part of a diversified generation portfolio. He cited the Idaho National Laboratory’s role and said recycling and storage of spent nuclear fuel remain federal policy domains under active research.

No binding committee vote was taken. The office said personnel requested for the Home Energy Rebates program would be hired as limited‑service positions tied to the duration of federal awards; contracts and grants will include standard language to accommodate wind‑down if federal appropriations are rescinded.

Evidence: LSO analyst Kellen McGurkin’s presentation and Administrator Richard Stover’s testimony to JFAC.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations Meeting February 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources asked JFAC for a $24.5 million federal appropriation to operate a Home Energy Rebates program (about $20 million for rebates, $4 million for administration, and $502,000 for four limited‑term staff) and proposed a $311,000 general‑fund Speed Council to coordinate and expedite permitting for major projects.","taxTitle","Appropriations, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",54706,"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},6344220,"Board of Tax Appeals asks legislature to raise member per diem to $400, seeks $29,200 in ongoing funds",1158,523000,1681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23&start=523&end=1681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6344220/Idaho/Board-of-Tax-Appeals-asks-legislature-to-raise-member-per-diem-to-400-seeks-29200-in-ongoing-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344220-d41873f0dfd46917ab9a9a23d39bfe5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770849960&Signature=UQgfnluw5ImlayeukJNfbznCAtPML3lLvjDq7~4~pL~shsBXX269o~i8yNJ30z6kBLXSE4gnof4pSLlMnh52frQzuihTmeGemNoC3xoagKpIQXOT9d5cndIveU~dZaZ9kWM4neCJYLBCaeuJP2qKsOSZtR2a0HAG0M6zhpBN-Ih35WS09FRTPpdu70K3iFCGgU87rzTNSDrCsBApfxd3NMCNyY4KQqHJ-KMaKm8BYohLNWvujZC-YQK6eRdhSqixQbvVZrWdHzeCQbSasVUX8hB322A4pzNPxYJsgGssqcX1YWzRoYnU9DT-UGNJPiGATrmUdn-eHTKpsa~mQjisdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee received a request from the Board of Tax Appeals to increase the board members’ daily per diem to $400 and to fund that change with an ongoing general fund appropriation of $29,200.

\"For the fiscal year 20 26 budget enhancement request from the agency, the board of tax appeals request $29,200 in ongoing personnel costs from the general fund to increase the per diem for board members from $300 to $400,\" Christopher LaHozet, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Service Office, told the committee.

Why it matters: the three board members serve as quasi‑judicial officers who travel to hearings across the state and complete hearing preparation and decision work. Any statutory change to the per diem would require legislative action to amend Idaho Code section 63-3804, the agency stated.

Agency officials said the per diem increase reflects time board members spend preparing for hearings and writing decisions, not only time seated at hearings. Board Director Cindy Pollock told the committee the board is funded for 80 days per year and that members break out prep and decision time on an hourly basis within that limit.

\"So our model is, the board is only allowed to work 80 days. They're funded for 80 days 29000 dollars. So for our board to get all their work done, they have come up with a model themselves, internal policy where they when they have a hearing or a board meeting, it's usually a full day's work. When they have prep time or decision making, they break it down hourly,\" Pollock said.

LaHozet’s presentation noted the current $300 daily per diem equates to about $37.50 per hour under an 80‑day model; the proposed $400 daily rate would be about $50 per hour, according to the grantor’s math included in the presentation.

Committee members pressed for caseload and fiscal context. Pollock said the agency’s typical caseload is about 300 appeals per year but may spike in catastrophic years — she cited an instance with 600 appeals in Bannock County after a local catastrophe. The agency reported a 10‑year average where appellants obtained a modification or won in roughly 39% of cases that reached final action.

Representative Tanner questioned why the agency would request additional ongoing funds while reverting unspent dollars from prior years. Pollock responded the agency routinely reverts unused funds when caseload and travel are lower; conversely, per‑diem changes affect the compensation rate when days are used.

Legal references and process: LaHozet told the committee the Board of Tax Appeals operates under Idaho Code section 63‑3801; the per diem statute the agency said would need amendment is section 63‑3804.

No formal committee action or vote was recorded during the presentation; committee members asked clarifying questions and heard that board members receive training (including attendance at the judicial college in Reno) and generally are recruited for legal or appraisal expertise.

Evidence: presentation by LSO analyst Christopher LaHozet and testimony from Board of Tax Appeals Director Cindy Pollock and financial specialist Rachel Whitaker.","The Board of Tax Appeals requested an ongoing appropriation of $29,200 to raise its three-member board per diem from $300 to $400 per day; agency leaders told JFAC the board models pay on an 80-day annual work schedule and said members perform hearing preparation and decision work beyond hearing days.",{"_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},6344221,"Legislative finance analysts report $5.99 billion revenue projection, flag tax bills that could cut FY26 receipts",381,87000,468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23&start=87&end=468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251056-4316ea0839ee1ab23f9d2932a0b06d23/thumbnail_87000.jpg","/articles/6344221/Idaho/Legislative-finance-analysts-report-599-billion-revenue-projection-flag-tax-bills-that-could-cut-FY26-receipts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344221-212fcbecaa4503cb32ac5e32ad6ee12e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770849960&Signature=U8Jcnex2Zum3~CxlIwOZCWATpfsmJsF~GZLwudyynF-ugBIxYoKJJinqauJ50XXxny5Jf1XLCKk0LerY4aqcu0JJsuIUyBA2aXv7YkGnQgPI4H37Vn61H4JG8MHwTtUFZq9M4g-ZsUR~KwkB-5GZb3fmEHvvNjbNmq0DfJpZ9-VlQEXzuwt5IU24~3XwT~EpqJd1-MF1c~O8PzZQsql5vA7Tv1fuvHsG0g-iC1g7q3JX178RtIRnbZdSaETGTLYQWl997EwJEU1GCdto3pBrIPpbYBCy4prjgepqWWrQARmAUCxhbZ69q0vKYk-ScZYatliltsRUY4PjxxbJ-8Y63Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard an update on the state General Fund green sheet Tuesday, with Legislative Service Office analysts reporting a revenue projection of $5,990,000,000 that will guide FY2026 planning.

\"And just to remind the committee on line 5, you adopted a revenue projection for fiscal year 20 25 of 5,990,000,000.00,\" said Keith Phibbe, Division Manager of Budget Policy Analysis at the Legislative Service Office. Phibbe walked the committee through the green-sheet items, the maintenance budget and pending bills that could change the revenue outlook.

Why it matters: committee members are still setting the revenue target the Legislature will use to balance the FY2026 budget. Small shifts in assumptions or enacted tax measures can change available dollars for programs, departments and one-time initiatives.

Phibbe told the panel the FY2025 original appropriation was $5.2 billion plus $44 million in reappropriation and executive carryforward, and that the Legislature currently carries a balance of about $463 million. He said the JFAC-maintained maintenance budget totals approximately $5,404,000,000 in recent committee actions — about $133,862,600 higher than FY2025’s original appropriation and a 2.5% year-over-year increase.

\"That is a hundred and 33,862,600 more than the original appropriation from FY 2025,\" Phibbe said, adding the committee’s maintenance total is currently roughly $250 million below the governor’s proposed maintenance budget.

Phibbe also highlighted pending legislation that could affect the committee’s work. He said House Bill 40 — described in the presentation as an income tax cut — is projected to reduce FY2026 revenue by about $253,000,000 and would grow in subsequent years if enacted. He listed other tax-related measures at various stages on the calendars, including House Bill 83 and House Bill 93 on the House third-reading calendar, and Senate Bill 1028 (a bill to create judicial positions) and a judicial salary increase bill (bill number not specified in the presentation) that may affect costs the committee must consider.

No formal committee actions or votes on the projection or bills were taken during the briefing. Phibbe closed by noting the committee will revisit the green sheet as more bills progress across the House and Senate and invited questions from members.

Evidence: The presentation and figures above were drawn from the Legislative Service Office green-sheet briefing to JFAC and the analyst’s remarks to the committee.","Budget analysts told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee a $5.99 billion FY2026 revenue projection underlies current planning, maintenance appropriations are about $5.404 billion, and pending tax-cut bills — notably House Bill 40 — could reduce revenue by roughly $253 million in FY2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Energy office seeks $24.5M federal for home‑rebates, proposes a 'Speed Council' to streamline permitting

Board of Tax Appeals asks legislature to raise member per diem to $400, seeks $29,200 in ongoing funds

Legislative finance analysts report $5.99 billion revenue projection, flag tax bills that could cut FY26 receipts