Summary of House Bill 249: Appropriations for Constitutional Officers
Bill Overview
Bill Number: H 249
Title: Appropriations – Constitutional Officers
Status: Signed by Governor on March 28, 2025
Effective Date: July 1, 2025
Introduced: February 14, 2025
House Bill 249 is a legislative measure that outlines the maintenance appropriations for the executive offices of key constitutional officers in the state of Idaho for the fiscal year 2026. The bill aims to ensure that these offices have the necessary funding to operate effectively.
Purpose and Intent
The primary purpose of H 249 is to allocate funds to the following constitutional officers:
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- State Controller
- Secretary of State
- State Treasurer
The bill addresses essential operational costs, including personnel benefits, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, and changes in employee compensation.
Key Provisions
- Total Appropriations: The bill appropriates a total of $76,026,600 for the fiscal year 2026.
- Personnel and Operating Costs: The appropriations cover personnel benefit costs and operating expenditures for each office.
- Full-Time Equivalent Positions: The bill authorizes a total of 431.90 full-time equivalent positions across the constitutional offices.
- Exemptions:
- The Executive Office of the Governor and the Office of the Attorney General are exempt from certain expense class and program transfer limitations, allowing for greater flexibility in managing their appropriated funds.
- The Office of the Lieutenant Governor is exempt from expense class transfer limitations.
- Reappropriation Authority: The bill provides reappropriation authority for unexpended balances from the Data Processing Services Fund and the General Fund for specific projects, including the Behavioral Health Reporting Data System.
Fiscal Impact
The appropriations reflect a slight increase from the previous fiscal year:
- General Fund: $54,561,000 (a 2.2% increase)
- Dedicated Funds: $15,479,000 (a 4.6% increase)
- Federal Funds: $3,267,500 (a decrease of 0.6%)
Affected Entities
The bill directly impacts the operational capabilities of the constitutional officers listed above, ensuring they have the necessary resources to fulfill their duties. This includes funding for legal services, administrative functions, and various programs managed by these offices.
Procedural Timeline
- February 14, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
- March 20, 2025: Passed in the House with a vote of 66-2-2.
- March 21, 2025: Passed in the Senate with a vote of 35-0-0.
- March 28, 2025: Signed by the Governor and became Session Law Chapter 196.
Conclusion
House Bill 249 is a critical piece of legislation that ensures the constitutional officers of Idaho are adequately funded for the upcoming fiscal year. By providing necessary appropriations and exemptions, the bill facilitates the effective functioning of these offices, which play vital roles in the governance of the state.
