The Idaho Spending Index serves to provide a fiscally conservative perspective on state budgeting while providing an unbiased measurement of how Idaho lawmakers apply these values to their voting behavior on appropriations bills. Each bill is analyzed within the context of the metrics below. They receive one (+1) point for each metric that is satisfied by freedom-focused policymaking and lose one (-1) point for each instance in which the inverse is true. The sum of these points composes the score for the bill.

Analyst: Niklas Kleinworth

Rating: +1

Bill Description: Senate Bill 1384 appropriates $7,479,900 and 48.00 full-time positions to the Public Utilities Commission for fiscal year 2025.

With the exception of some adjustments to the statewide change in employee compensation and replacement items, this budget confirms the maintenance budget funding proposed in pending legislation, Senate Bill 1270.

Is the maintenance budget inappropriate for the needs of the state, the size of the agency, or the inflationary environment of the economy? Conversely, is the maintenance budget appropriate given the needs of the state and economic pressures?

This legislation confirms the maintenance budget for the Public Utilities Commission of $7,323,100, demonstrating 12.5% growth in the last three years. This rate is acceptable compared to what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.

(+1)