Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1380 – EFIB FY2027 Capital Outlay Supplemental Appropriation
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1380 appropriates an additional $3,700 from the Endowment Earnings Administrative Fund to the Endowment Fund Investment Board for capital outlay expenditures during fiscal year 2027, covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The funds are drawn from existing endowment earnings rather than general tax revenue, and the appropriation is designated specifically for capital outlay purposes.
The bill declares an emergency, bypassing the standard delayed effective date and making the appropriation active immediately on July 1, 2026, the first day of the fiscal year. This emergency declaration ensures the Board has authorization to spend these funds from the start of the fiscal year without a gap in authority.
The Endowment Fund Investment Board manages Idaho’s endowment lands and trust funds, investing proceeds to benefit public institutions. This supplemental appropriation adds to whatever funding the Board received through the regular appropriations process for FY2027.
Overall Assessment
This bill adds $3,700 to the Endowment Fund Investment Board’s capital outlay budget for FY2027, funded entirely from the Endowment Earnings Administrative Fund rather than general tax revenues. The emergency declaration attached to this routine supplemental appropriation raises a concern under responsible government principles, as it invokes emergency powers to accelerate a minor administrative funding adjustment — a use of emergency authority that goes beyond the intent of such provisions. The practical fiscal impact of this bill is negligible, but the procedural choice to declare an emergency for a $3,700 capital outlay addition sets a precedent for bypassing normal legislative timelines.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill declares an emergency — 'An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby declared to exist' — to immediately enact a $3,700 supplemental capital outlay appropriation. Invoking emergency powers for a routine, small-dollar administrative funding adjustment stretches the intended use of emergency declarations, undermining the principle that such powers should be reserved for genuine crises rather than scheduling convenience.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill is a narrow internal appropriation to a state investment board and contains no provisions affecting elections, voting, citizen participation, or public engagement in government processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
Although the Endowment Fund Investment Board manages trust funds that benefit public schools and other institutions, this bill's $3,700 appropriation is directed at the Board's own capital outlay needs — not at educational program funding, school choice, curricula, or any direct benefit to students or schools.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill makes no reference to agriculture, farming, ranching, water for agricultural use, or agricultural markets. It is a narrow administrative appropriation with no connection to Idaho's agricultural sector.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
No provisions in this bill address water rights, water management, prior appropriation doctrine, inter-basin transfers, or any water-related policy. The appropriation is unrelated to Idaho's water resources.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill's sole provision is a $3,700 capital outlay appropriation to an investment board. It contains no language addressing natural resource management, environmental stewardship, federal land policy, or wilderness boundaries.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This appropriation bill has no connection to energy policy, energy independence, hydroelectric power, electrical rates, or energy infrastructure. It is confined entirely to an administrative funding matter.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology transfer, or any associated programs. The appropriation is directed to the Endowment Fund Investment Board for capital outlay only.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
Nothing in this bill affects private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or due process protections for property owners. It is a straightforward internal government appropriation.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill does not address the management, transfer, or ownership of state or federal lands. While the Endowment Fund Investment Board oversees endowment lands, this appropriation funds the Board's capital outlay needs rather than any land management policy.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to wildlife, fish and game management, hunting, fishing, or predator control. It has no bearing on Idaho's wildlife management policies.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
At $3,700, this appropriation has no measurable economic impact on commerce, small businesses, labor markets, or economic development. It funds internal capital outlay for a state investment board and does not alter any regulatory or economic policy.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill makes no reference to healthcare, health insurance, welfare programs, or public health policy. The appropriation is directed solely to the Endowment Fund Investment Board for administrative capital needs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
This bill contains no provisions touching on family policy, marriage, parental rights, right to life, or child welfare. It is an administrative appropriations measure with no connection to family-related policy.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill does not address retirement security, services for older Idahoans, or any policy affecting senior citizens. The $3,700 capital outlay appropriation has no connection to programs or protections for older Americans.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
No provisions in this bill address criminal justice, gun rights, law enforcement, drug policy, incarceration, or judicial processes. It is entirely unrelated to law and order concerns.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill contains no language related to national defense, military installations, border security, veterans' services, or the National Guard. It is a narrow state-level administrative appropriation.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill has no connection to judicial elections, the selection or retention of judges, constitutional interpretation, or the structure of Idaho's courts. It is confined to a single administrative appropriation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill contains no provisions affecting religious freedom, the free exercise of religion, or conscience protections. The appropriation to the Endowment Fund Investment Board has no bearing on religious liberty in Idaho.