Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1382 – FY2027 Supplemental Appropriation: Dept. of Fish & Game
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1382 provides a supplemental appropriation to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). The bill allocates new federal fund dollars across three program areas: $787,100 for Administration, $5,882,200 for Fisheries, and $4,284,600 for Wildlife, all drawn from the Fish and Game (Federal) Fund. These funds cover personnel costs, operating expenditures, and capital outlay, bringing the grand total appropriation across all programs to $25,899,300.
In addition to the new federal fund line items, the bill authorizes the reappropriation of any unexpended and unencumbered balances from both dedicated funds and federal funds that were appropriated for fiscal year 2026, allowing those dollars to carry forward for nonrecurring expenditures in FY2027. The Office of the State Controller is required to confirm reappropriation amounts with the Legislative Services Office before processing. The bill is declared an emergency measure, taking effect July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill’s primary effect is channeling nearly $11 million in new federal funds to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for staffing, operations, and capital projects across its Administration, Fisheries, and Wildlife programs. While the spending benefits hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists by expanding the agency’s capacity to manage fish and game populations, the bill’s reliance on federal rather than state funds raises a concern about growing dependence on federal dollars to sustain core state agency operations — earning a negative score under the Responsibility in Government metric.
The remaining evaluation metrics are unaffected by this legislation. The bill does not address education, agriculture, water, energy, private property rights, public lands policy, the economy, health and welfare, family issues, law enforcement, national defense, elections, or religious liberty in any meaningful way. As a targeted appropriations measure focused solely on fish and game program funding, its policy footprint is narrow, resulting in a total score of -1.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill funds core state agency operations — Administration, Fisheries, and Wildlife — almost entirely through federal dollars rather than state-sourced revenues, deepening Idaho's reliance on federal funding streams that can be altered or withdrawn at the discretion of the federal government. This structural dependence undermines the principle that Idaho should fund its own governmental responsibilities with its own resources. The arrangement reduces state fiscal autonomy and accountability, warranting a negative rating.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill is a straightforward supplemental appropriations measure and does not alter the mechanisms by which Idaho citizens participate in or access their government. No provisions affect public comment processes, transparency requirements, or civic engagement structures, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
Senate Bill 1382 is an appropriations bill directed exclusively at the Department of Fish and Game and has no bearing on Idaho's educational institutions, curricula, funding, or policies. This metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill provides funding for fish and wildlife management programs and does not address agricultural policy, farming operations, ranching, or related industries. No impact on agriculture is present, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
While fisheries management can have indirect connections to water quality and water resources, this bill does not contain any provisions that directly address water rights, water policy, or water infrastructure in Idaho. The rating is neutral.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
Although the bill funds Fisheries and Wildlife programs that manage Idaho's natural resources, the appropriation itself does not establish new environmental policy, alter resource management standards, or expand or restrict environmental protections. The funding maintains existing program capacity without changing the underlying policy framework, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This bill has no connection to energy policy, energy production, or energy infrastructure in Idaho. The appropriation is directed solely at fish and game programs, and this metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
Senate Bill 1382 does not reference or affect the Idaho National Laboratories or related nuclear research and energy programs. This metric is not implicated by the bill.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill does not contain provisions that expand or restrict private property rights, alter land use regulations, or affect property owners in Idaho. This metric is unaffected, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
While the Department of Fish and Game operates on and manages activities related to state and federal lands, this appropriations bill does not alter land ownership, land transfer policy, or the balance of state versus federal land management authority. The rating is neutral.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill directs significant federal funds toward Idaho's Fisheries and Wildlife programs, which supports the state's capacity to manage fish and game populations. However, the appropriation does not change wildlife management policy, hunting and fishing regulations, or the state's authority over wildlife resources — it simply maintains existing operational capacity with federal dollars. The absence of a policy change results in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
This supplemental appropriation does not establish economic development programs, affect taxation, or alter the regulatory environment for Idaho businesses. While federal spending has some indirect economic effect, the bill does not meaningfully advance or hinder Idaho's economic interests in a policy sense, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill is directed at fish and game management and has no provisions related to public health, Medicaid, social services, or welfare programs. This metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
Senate Bill 1382 does not address family policy, parental rights, child welfare, or related issues. The appropriation has no bearing on this metric, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill contains no provisions that specifically affect older Idahoans, senior services, retirement programs, or age-related policy. This metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
This appropriations bill does not address law enforcement, the criminal justice system, courts, or public safety policy in Idaho. No impact on this metric is present, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill has no connection to national defense, military affairs, or border security. It is a state-level fish and game appropriations measure, and this metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
Senate Bill 1382 does not address judicial selection, elections, or the structure of Idaho's court system. This metric is not implicated by the bill.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill contains no provisions that affect religious liberty, the free exercise of religion, or related constitutional protections. This metric is unaffected, resulting in a neutral rating.