Establishes the interagency elder justice task force

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 5 co-sponsors

Idaho appropriates $32.38M for FY2026 to expand the Office of the State Public Defender, adds ~18 FTEs, boosts operating costs, and shifts $1.2M from the Public Defense Fund.

SUBSTITUTED BY A7277A

Main purpose

Provide supplemental FY2025 funding and additional FY2026 appropriations to the Idaho Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) to expand staffing, operating capacity, and certain program costs; authorize additional full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions; make a targeted reduction to a Public Defense Fund personnel appropriation; and declare emergency/effective dates.

Key provisions and dollar amounts

FY2026 supplements (Section 1): Appropriates additional funds to OSPD for the period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. The incremental FY2026 budget enhancement totals $32,382,100 (ongoing increase reported at $32,340,400 and one‑time of $41,700). Major line items in the fiscal note include:

Public defense operating budget increase: $16,380,800
Additional personnel costs: $6,467,300
Additional contracting costs: $5,517,100
Transcript costs: $1,290,200
New institutional offices (Benewah, Elmore, Jerome, Shoshone counties): $226,700
CPA (Child Protective Act) appropriation alignment / federal funds: $2,500,000 (as shown in tables)

FY2026 reduction (Section 2): Reduces the OSPD appropriation for personnel by $1,200,000 from the Public Defense Fund for FY2026 (a fund‑shift/removal shown in the fiscal tables).

FTE authorization (Section 3): Authorizes an increase of 17.96 full‑time equivalent positions for the period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (raising authorized FTP from 316.00 to 333.96).

FY2025 supplemental (Section 4): Adds $6,690,100 in supplemental funding for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 (including $1,960,900 General Fund, $2,229,200 Public Defense Fund, and $2,500,000 federal).

Emergency/effective dates (Section 5): Section 4 effective on passage (04/03/2025). Sections 1–3 effective July 1, 2025.

Fiscal impact and totals

FY2026 total OSPD budget after these actions is reported as $83,194,200 (an increase of $31,178,900 or about 59.9% over the FY2025 original appropriation shown in the fiscal note).

The fiscal note indicates the bill does not include the Governor’s full recommended increase for contract attorney costs; the remaining difference is approximately $6.5 million across FY2025 and FY2026.

Who is affected

Office of the State Public Defender — staffing levels, operating funds, and program capacity.

Public defense clients and criminal justice stakeholders (counties/institutions) indirectly benefit from increased staffing and office presence (new institutional offices noted).

Funding sources affected: Idaho General Fund, Public Defense Fund, and identified federal funds.

Procedural notes and next steps

The bill was enacted (signed 04/03/2025). However, legislative records show S 1202 was later SUBSTITUTED BY A7277A on 06/10/2025; that substitution may alter or replace some provisions. Users should consult A7277A for the final enacted language and appropriation details if relying on current law or appropriations.

Contacts listed in the fiscal note: Senator Kevin Cook and Representative Dustin Manwaring (proponents).

Note: The packet provided contained documents and text from other jurisdictions and unrelated bills (different S/SD numbers and language). This summary is limited to the Idaho S 1202 materials (appropriation/OSPD) contained in the packet.

Bill