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Idaho Budget Committee Approves Cash and Interest Transfers
Moves intended to avoid budget shortfall and leave surplus cash balance
Mar. 26, 2026 at 6:50am
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The Idaho Legislature's budget committee, JFAC, approved a series of cash and interest payment transfers on Wednesday that are intended to avoid a budget shortfall in the current fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027, and leave a projected cash surplus of $150 million at the end of fiscal year 2027. The transfers total $131.9 million in fiscal year 2026 and $95.5 million in fiscal year 2027.
Why it matters
The transfers are a short-term fix to address budget uncertainty, including ongoing state revenue volatility, potential costs from federal tax changes, and possible supplemental funding requests for Medicaid, corrections, and wildfire response. Some legislators have criticized such one-time transfers as an irresponsible gimmick, but JFAC members say this approach is intended as a cushion rather than to structurally balance the budget.
The details
JFAC approved transferring interest earnings into the state's general fund, as well as $32.9 million to bolster the fire suppression deficiency account and another $32.9 million for the Idaho Transportation Department's strategic initiatives fund. The committee also called for reducing its own legislative account funding by 4% in fiscal year 2026 and 5% in fiscal year 2027.
- The transfers are intended to cover fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027.
- JFAC approved the transfers on Wednesday, March 26, 2026.
The players
JFAC
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the Idaho Legislature's budget committee.
Rep. Josh Tanner
A Republican co-chairman of JFAC, who has previously criticized such one-time transfers as an irresponsible gimmick.
Sen. Scott Grow
A Republican co-chairman of JFAC, who described the transfers as a short-term fix to address budget uncertainty.
Gov. Brad Little
The Idaho governor, who had recommended similar cash and interest transfers at the start of the year to balance the budget.
Idaho Capital Sun
The news outlet that reported on JFAC's approval of the budget transfers.
What they’re saying
“We're just using it as a cushion, instead of using it for balancing our budget.”
— Rep. Josh Tanner, Co-chairman of JFAC
“So we're kind of cautious of all our things in such a way that we can feel comfortable when we leave here (and adjourn the legislative session for the year) that we've got things under control.”
— Sen. Scott Grow, Co-chairman of JFAC
What’s next
The cash and interest transfer proposals will be incorporated into a new bill that still must go to the full House of Representatives and Senate for approval before being sent to the governor.
The takeaway
The budget transfers approved by JFAC highlight ongoing concerns about the state's ability to balance its budget amid revenue uncertainty, potential federal tax impacts, and possible supplemental funding needs. While some legislators have criticized such one-time fixes, JFAC members say this approach is intended as a cushion rather than a structural solution.
