Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1385 – FY2027 Supplemental Appropriation: Industrial Commis…
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1385 provides a supplemental appropriation to the Idaho Industrial Commission for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027), totaling $440,600 across three program areas. The Compensation program receives $365,100 from three funding sources: $276,200 from the Industrial Administration Fund (covering $252,000 in operating expenditures and $24,200 in capital outlay), $68,900 from the Peace Officer and Detention Officer Temporary Disability Fund for benefit payments, and $20,000 from the Miscellaneous Revenue Fund for operating expenditures. The Rehabilitation program receives $39,500 from the Industrial Administration Fund, and the Crime Victims Compensation program receives $36,000 from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
The sole legislative change in this bill is the addition of $20,000 from the Miscellaneous Revenue Fund to the Compensation program’s operating expenditures. All other appropriations listed represent existing funding structures being continued. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective immediately upon passage and on July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill increases state spending by adding $20,000 from the Miscellaneous Revenue Fund to the Idaho Industrial Commission’s operating budget, drawing on a revenue source not previously tapped for this agency’s compensation program. The expansion of the agency’s funding base without a corresponding reduction elsewhere represents a net increase in government expenditure, which conflicts with fiscal restraint priorities.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill's only substantive change—inserting '$20,000 0 0 20,000' under the Miscellaneous Revenue Fund for the Compensation program—expands the Industrial Commission's funding by tapping an additional revenue source. This increases the size and cost of state government without any offsetting reduction, running counter to fiscal responsibility goals of limiting government growth and spending.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill is a narrow agency appropriation with no provisions touching elections, voting access, citizen participation in government, or civic engagement processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill directs funds exclusively to the Industrial Commission's compensation, rehabilitation, and crime victims programs. No education institutions, programs, parental rights, or curriculum matters are addressed.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The appropriation funds Industrial Commission operations and has no connection to farming, ranching, agricultural markets, water law for agriculture, or rural land use policy.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
Nothing in this bill addresses water rights, water management, inter-basin transfers, or state sovereignty over water resources. It is solely an agency funding measure.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to natural resource management, environmental stewardship, federal land policy, or multiple-use land principles. It funds Industrial Commission administrative programs only.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This appropriation bill has no bearing on energy production, hydroelectric power, energy independence, or utility regulation. The Industrial Commission's funded programs are unrelated to energy policy.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill appropriates funds to the Industrial Commission and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development programs.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
No provisions in this bill affect property rights, regulatory takings, eminent domain, or government interference with private property. It is a straightforward agency appropriation.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill makes no reference to land ownership, federal land management, state land transfers, or public land access. It funds Industrial Commission compensation and rehabilitation programs exclusively.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
This bill has no provisions related to fish and game management, hunting and fishing access, predator control, or wildlife conservation. It is limited to Industrial Commission funding.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the Industrial Commission administers workers' compensation—which touches labor markets—the $20,000 change in this bill is too narrow and administrative in nature to constitute a meaningful policy shift affecting commerce, small business regulation, or labor conditions.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
Although the Industrial Commission's rehabilitation program serves injured workers, this bill does not alter eligibility, benefit levels, or program structure. The appropriation maintains existing operations without changing healthcare or welfare policy.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill contains no language addressing family structure, parental rights, marriage, abortion, or child welfare. It is a technical funding measure for a state administrative agency.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
No provisions in this bill specifically target or affect older Idahoans, retirement security, senior services, or age-related employment protections.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The Crime Victims Compensation Fund allocation of $36,000 is existing law carried forward, not a change made by this bill. The only new provision—the $20,000 Miscellaneous Revenue Fund addition—is unrelated to criminal justice, law enforcement, or victim restitution policy.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
This bill has no provisions related to military readiness, border security, veterans' services, or the Idaho National Guard. It funds state workers' compensation administration only.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill makes no reference to judicial selection, judicial elections, constitutional interpretation, or court structure. It is an agency appropriations measure with no judicial policy content.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
Nothing in this bill touches religious freedom, conscience protections, government interference with religious exercise, or faith-based organizations. It is confined to Industrial Commission funding.