Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1363 – FY2027 Natural Resources Appropriations Bill
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1363 appropriates $484,547,600 across six Idaho natural resources agencies for fiscal year 2027, including the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Fish and Game, Endowment Fund Investment Board, Department of Lands, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Water Resources. The bill sets full-time equivalent position caps totaling over 1,630 authorized positions and draws funding from state general funds, dedicated funds, federal grants, and ARPA State Fiscal Recovery funds. The Endowment Fund Investment Board is directed to transfer $117,278,400 from earnings reserve funds to income funds benefiting public schools, universities, and state institutions.
Beyond base appropriations, the bill directs several targeted fund transfers, including $5,000,000 for aquifer recharge, $1,000,000 for flood management, $30,000,000 for broader water infrastructure projects, $1,500,000 for Coeur d’Alene Basin Superfund cleanup, and $279,000 to the Agricultural Best Management Practices Fund. The Department of Lands receives an exemption from expense class transfer limitations for its Forest and Range Fire Protection Program, and the Department of Environmental Quality is prohibited from reducing allocations to three regional lake commissions. Multiple reporting requirements are imposed, including annual remediation progress reports, ARPA expenditure updates, and a December 2026 water projects accountability report to the Legislature.
Overall Assessment
Senate Bill 1363 receives a total score of -2, reflecting concerns primarily in the areas of government responsibility and natural resources regulation. The bill expands state agency spending and authorized positions across six agencies without corresponding reductions elsewhere, raising fiscal governance concerns that weigh against principles of minimal and efficient government. The broad appropriations structure, while funding legitimate state functions, represents a net expansion of government administrative capacity.
The bill’s treatment of natural resources and environmental regulation is the second driver of its negative score. Increased funding directed to DEQ regulatory programs, including air quality and water quality enforcement functions supported by ARPA and federal funds, strengthens the agency’s regulatory posture in ways that conflict with principles favoring minimal government regulation and multiple-use resource management. Most other metrics are unaffected by this appropriations bill, as its scope is narrowly focused on natural resources agency funding rather than policy changes in areas such as education, agriculture, energy, or law enforcement.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill appropriates nearly $485 million across six agencies while expanding authorized FTE positions to over 1,630 without corresponding reductions in government spending elsewhere. This net expansion of state agency capacity and expenditure conflicts with principles of fiscal restraint and responsible, limited government. The absence of offsetting cuts or efficiency measures reflects a pattern of growing government rather than right-sizing it.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill does not substantively affect citizen involvement in government processes, voting rights, or public participation mechanisms. Its scope is limited to agency appropriations and fund transfers, leaving this metric unaffected.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the Endowment Fund Investment Board is directed to transfer $117,278,400 to income funds benefiting public schools and universities, this is a routine endowment earnings distribution rather than a policy change affecting educational governance or curriculum. The bill does not meaningfully advance or hinder educational principles, resulting in a neutral rating.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill directs $279,000 to the Agricultural Best Management Practices Fund and supports broader water infrastructure investments that benefit irrigation-dependent agricultural operations. However, these are modest, routine appropriations that do not represent a significant policy shift for agriculture, and the bill neither expands nor restricts agricultural freedoms or property rights in a meaningful way.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill directs $36,000,000 in new transfers for aquifer recharge, flood control, and water infrastructure projects, representing substantial investment in Idaho's water systems. However, these appropriations reflect ongoing state water management functions rather than a transformative policy change, and the bill does not alter water rights frameworks or governance structures in ways that would shift the rating positively or negatively.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (-1)
Adds funding to DEQ regulatory programs, e.g., 'ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Fund 32,900 0 0 32,900' (Water Quality), '1,242,600 1,971,200 1,241,400 4,455,200' (Air Quality Federal), enhancing environmental enforcement capacity, opposing Section 1's 'minimal government regulation' and multiple uses emphasis.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill does not address energy policy, energy infrastructure, or energy regulation. Its appropriations are confined to natural resources agencies with no direct bearing on energy production, transmission, or governance.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to the Idaho National Laboratories, nuclear research, or associated federal partnerships. This metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill does not alter private property rights, takings law, or regulatory frameworks that would expand or restrict landowner rights. Its appropriations and fund transfers operate within existing legal structures without imposing new burdens or protections on private property.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
Although the bill funds the Department of Lands and includes provisions for the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program, these are routine operational appropriations that do not change the balance of state versus federal land control or advance policies favoring transfer of federal lands to state management.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill channels tens of millions in federal funds to the Department of Fish and Game for fisheries and wildlife programs, supporting ongoing state wildlife management functions. These appropriations maintain existing programs rather than expanding or restricting state authority over wildlife, resulting in a neutral impact on this metric.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill's appropriations support state agency operations and infrastructure investments that have indirect economic effects, but it does not enact tax policy changes, regulatory reforms, or economic development initiatives that would meaningfully advance or hinder free-market economic principles.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill does not address health care policy, welfare programs, or social services. Its scope is limited to natural resources agency funding, leaving this metric unaffected.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to family policy, parental rights, or cultural issues affecting the American family. This metric is not implicated by the appropriations covered in this bill.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill does not address programs or policies specifically affecting older Americans, retirement security, or senior services. This metric is unaffected.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill does not address criminal justice, law enforcement funding, or judicial policy. Its appropriations are confined to natural resources agencies with no bearing on public safety or justice systems.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to national defense, border security, or immigration enforcement. This metric is not implicated.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill does not address judicial selection, election processes, or court governance. This metric is unaffected by the appropriations contained in this bill.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill contains no provisions affecting religious liberty, freedom of conscience, or faith-based organizations. This metric is not implicated by this appropriations measure.