Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1252 – State Budget Growth Cap (ROGUE Act)
Bill Summary
This bill creates the ‘Restraint of Government Uncontrolled Expansion (ROGUE) Act,’ establishing a new limitation on state budget growth. The legislation caps annual maintenance budget increases for all state government entities—including departments, agencies, boards, commissions, institutions, and state colleges and universities—to the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in the west region over the preceding 12 months.
If the CPI shows zero or negative growth, state entities cannot request maintenance budgets exceeding the previous fiscal year’s approved amount. The bill includes exceptions allowing higher increases for exigent situations, federally mandated expenditures, or sustained operational difficulties. The act takes effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause declaring immediate necessity.
Overall Assessment
This bill imposes a hard cap on state government spending growth, tying all maintenance budget increases to regional inflation rates. State agencies, universities, and institutions will face constrained budgets that cannot grow faster than the cost of living, potentially limiting their ability to expand services, hire staff, or respond to population growth. The legislation fundamentally restructures Idaho’s budget process by removing legislative discretion to increase funding beyond inflation, except in narrowly defined emergency circumstances.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (1)
Section 67-3537(2) directly limits government growth by capping maintenance budget increases to CPI, preventing state entities from expanding beyond inflation rates. This restriction applies to all departments, agencies, boards, commissions, institutions, and state colleges, creating a statutory barrier to government expansion. The bill operationalizes fiscal restraint by establishing a formulaic limit that removes discretionary budget growth.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill establishes budget limitations for state entities but contains no provisions related to citizen participation, election processes, transparency requirements, or public involvement in government decision-making.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the bill applies to 'state college or university' budgets, it does not address educational policy, curriculum standards, parental rights, school choice, or any substantive education matters. The budget cap is a general fiscal constraint, not an education reform.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural education, or agricultural water rights. The budget limitation applies uniformly across all state entities without addressing agricultural concerns.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill does not address water rights, water management, inter-basin transfers, prior appropriation doctrine, or any water-related policy matters. The budget cap applies generally without specific water provisions.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to natural resource management, environmental policy, federal lands, wilderness areas, or resource utilization. The budget limitation does not specifically target environmental agencies or policies.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill does not address energy policy, energy independence, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or electrical rates. The budget cap applies uniformly without specific energy-related provisions.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill contains no provisions specifically addressing the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology transfer, or DOE programs. While INL-related state entities would be subject to the budget cap, the bill does not address INL policy matters.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill does not address private property rights, eminent domain, just compensation, or property development regulations. The budget limitation concerns government spending, not property rights protections.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to federal land management, state administration of federal lands, or reducing federal land ownership. The budget cap does not address land management policy.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill does not address wildlife management, Fish and Game operations, hunting, fishing, predator control, or recreational access. The budget limitation applies uniformly without specific wildlife provisions.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (1)
Section 67-3537(2) establishes fiscal discipline by limiting state budget growth to inflation rates, constraining government expansion and reducing the burden of government spending on the economy. The CPI-based cap creates a formulaic approach to balanced budgets by preventing expenditure growth beyond inflation. This statutory restraint on government spending aligns with fiscal responsibility principles that support economic growth.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill does not address healthcare delivery, health insurance, patient rights, health savings accounts, or welfare programs. The budget cap applies uniformly across state entities without specific health and welfare provisions.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to family values, parental authority, marriage, right to life, or children's welfare. The budget limitation does not address family policy concerns.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill does not specifically address older Americans, senior services, or policies affecting elderly citizens. The budget cap applies uniformly without provisions targeting services for older populations.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to criminal justice, gun rights, death penalty, drug policy, incarceration, or juvenile justice. The budget limitation does not address law enforcement or criminal justice matters.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill does not address national defense, veterans, military bases, National Guard, border security, or foreign policy. The budget cap applies to state entities without addressing defense-related concerns.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to judicial elections, judicial selection processes, or constitutional interpretation. The budget limitation does not address judicial system matters.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill does not address religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The budget limitation does not contain provisions related to religious liberty.