Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1373 – Idaho FY2027 Economic Development Appropriations
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1373 appropriates approximately $1.58 billion across 20 state agencies and divisions for fiscal year 2027, covering the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Idaho Transportation Department, and numerous other agencies. The bill sets full-time equivalent position caps for each agency, establishes specific programmatic requirements, and authorizes reappropriation of unexpended prior-year balances for broadband infrastructure totaling up to $272 million from the Idaho Broadband Fund, ARPA Capital Projects Fund, and Federal Grant Fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026 under an emergency declaration.
Beyond base appropriations, the bill includes several targeted policy directives. Section 3 requires the Department of Agriculture to maximize its watercraft inspection program to prevent zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and other aquatic invasive species from entering Idaho waters. Section 4 transfers $225,000 from the General Fund to the Depredation of Livestock and Prevention Fund to compensate ranchers for livestock losses caused by grizzly bears and wolves. Section 9 directs that all broadband grant funds be allocated at the direction of the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board, concentrating up to $272 million in grant allocation authority in a single appointed body rather than through standard legislative appropriation channels. Additional provisions address reappropriation authority for the State Appellate Public Defender, county office space requirements for the Office of the State Public Defender through July 1, 2029, and continuous appropriation authority for certain Idaho Transportation Department accounts.
Overall Assessment
Senate Bill 1373 is a broad omnibus appropriations bill that largely funds ongoing state government operations without introducing significant policy shifts aligned with or against the evaluation metrics. Most provisions are routine funding authorizations, position cap establishments, and administrative directives that do not materially advance or undermine the principles measured across the nineteen articles. As a result, the vast majority of metrics receive a neutral score, reflecting the bill’s character as a maintenance appropriation rather than a transformative policy vehicle.
The one exception is Article I, Responsibility in Government, which receives a negative score due to the bill’s concentration of up to $272 million in broadband grant allocation authority within the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board—a single appointed body operating outside standard legislative appropriation channels. This structure reduces legislative oversight and accountability over a substantial sum of public funds, running counter to principles of transparent and responsible governance. All other articles score neutrally, as the bill’s remaining provisions, while substantive in dollar terms, do not meaningfully advance or conflict with the specific principles those articles measure.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill channels up to $272 million in reappropriated broadband funds through the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board, concentrating grant allocation authority in a single appointed body rather than through standard legislative appropriation channels. This arrangement reduces legislative oversight and accountability over a significant sum of public funds, undermining principles of transparent and responsible government. The delegation of such substantial spending authority away from the legislature represents a meaningful step away from accountable governance.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill's provisions are primarily administrative and appropriations-based in nature, with no measures that meaningfully expand or restrict citizen participation in government processes. The broadband advisory board structure affects legislative oversight rather than direct citizen involvement, leaving this metric unaffected.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
Senate Bill 1373 does not include appropriations or policy directives specifically targeting education programs, curriculum standards, or educational institutions. The bill's scope does not intersect with the principles measured under this article.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
While the bill includes a $225,000 transfer to the Depredation of Livestock and Prevention Fund and watercraft inspection requirements, these provisions are modest in scale and represent routine program funding rather than a significant policy advancement or setback for Idaho agriculture. The net effect on agricultural policy principles is neutral.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The watercraft inspection program requirement addresses aquatic invasive species prevention, which has indirect relevance to water quality, but the provision is a continuation of existing programmatic efforts rather than a substantive new water policy. The bill does not materially advance or undermine water-related principles measured by this article.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill's invasive species inspection mandate and livestock depredation fund transfer touch on natural resource management at the margins, but neither provision represents a significant policy shift in how Idaho manages its natural resources or environment. The overall impact on this article's principles is neutral.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
Senate Bill 1373 contains no provisions specifically addressing energy policy, energy production, or energy regulation. The bill's appropriations do not target energy-related programs in a manner that would affect the principles measured under this article.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill includes no provisions, appropriations, or directives related to the Idaho National Laboratories or associated research and development activities. This article's principles are unaffected by the legislation.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
No provisions in Senate Bill 1373 expand or restrict private property rights in Idaho. The bill's appropriations and administrative directives do not intersect with property rights principles measured under this article.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill does not address state or federal land management, land transfers, or related policy questions. Its appropriations scope does not engage with the principles measured under this article.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The $225,000 livestock depredation fund transfer acknowledges the impact of grizzly bears and wolves on ranching operations, but the provision is a modest compensation mechanism rather than a substantive wildlife management policy change. The bill does not meaningfully advance or undermine the wildlife management principles measured by this article.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill's broad appropriations support ongoing state government functions and include broadband infrastructure funding that could have long-term economic development implications, but these are routine governmental expenditures rather than targeted economic policy measures. The net effect on economic principles is neutral.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
Senate Bill 1373 does not include significant new health or welfare policy directives. The $65.4 million in funding for the Division of Veterans Services represents continuation of existing programs rather than a new policy initiative affecting health and welfare principles.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill contains no provisions specifically addressing family policy, parental rights, or related principles measured under this article. Its appropriations are administrative in nature and do not engage with these concerns.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
No provisions in the bill specifically target programs or policies affecting older Americans beyond routine agency appropriations. The bill does not advance or undermine the principles measured under this article.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill includes reappropriation authority for the State Appellate Public Defender and office space requirements for the Office of the State Public Defender, which are administrative continuations of existing legal services rather than substantive criminal justice policy changes. These provisions do not meaningfully affect the law and order principles measured by this article.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
Senate Bill 1373 does not include provisions related to national defense, border security, or immigration enforcement. The bill's scope does not intersect with the principles measured under this article.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill contains no provisions addressing judicial elections, judicial selection processes, or related principles. Its appropriations and policy directives do not engage with this article's concerns.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
No provisions in Senate Bill 1373 affect religious liberty, religious institutions, or related principles measured under this article. The bill's appropriations are administrative in character and do not implicate religious freedom concerns.