Bill Description: Senate Bill 1402 is an enhancement of $2,568,700 and a restoration of 6.00 full-time positions for the Department of Juvenile Corrections (IDJC) for fiscal year 2027. This legislation appropriates a total of $61,771,500 and 402.00 full-time positions to the agency.

Rating: -3 

Is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending, if any, inappropriate for the changes in circumstances, scope of the agency, or current economic environment? Conversely, is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending appropriate given any change in circumstances or economic pressures?

This legislation authorizes an ongoing spending enhancement for the IDJC of $593,900, adding onto last year’s (FY26) increase of $300,000. FY26’s ongoing spending is wrapped into FY27’s base increase, making ongoing spending especially important to scrutinize. Volatility in these increases (or decreases) is to be expected, and makes discernment on the propriety of new spending imperative.

This ongoing expenditure consists of a General Fund Budget Restoration ($593,900 GF). Restoring part of the reductions enacted by JFAC does a disservice to other agencies who took the entire 5% reduction. 

(-1)

Does this budget incur any wasteful spending among discretionary funds, including new line items? Conversely, does this budget contain any provisions that serve to reduce spending where possible (i.e. base reductions, debt reconciliation, etc.)?

This legislation authorizes onetime spending for the IDJC of $1,974,800, adding additional expenditures after last year’s (FY26) onetime spending of $232,500. Onetime spending is often even more volatile than ongoing spending, which is to be expected due to the onetime expenses generally being utilized for projects or capital outlay. This also calls for special scrutiny and discernment.

There are two onetime expenditure enhancements. The first of which is OITS Hardware ($1,035,000 DF) and the second is replacement items ($920,900 GF). Some replacement items include “recreation area improvements at the Nampa facility, new desks and chairs at the Nampa and Lewiston facilities, headquarter lobby remodel for security purposes…” This represented unwarranted spending, especially so in a deficit year.

(-1)

Does the budget grow government through the addition of new, objectionable, permanent FTPs or through funding unlegislated efforts to create new or expanded existing programs? Conversely, does this budget reduce the size of government staff and programs except where compelled by new legislation?

The restoration of 6.00 FTP to the agency to avoid the enacted budget cuts is objectionable, see above.

(-1)