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.
Rating: (0)
NOTE: The only change between House Bill 424 and House Bill 439 is the addition of an override provision in section 4 of House Bill 439.
Bill Description: House Bill 439 is an enhancement of $460,200 and 3.00 new full-time positions (FTP) for the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2026. This legislation appropriates a total of $31,184,400 and 137.00 full-time positions to the agency.
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 funds ongoing spending for the Department of Administration at $31,023,800, growing from the base by 10.4% in the last three years. This rate is nearly 4 points slower than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.
(+1)
Does the budget grow government through the addition of new permanent FTPs or through funding unlegislated efforts to create new or expanded entitlement programs? Conversely, does this budget reduce the size of government staff and programs except where compelled by new legislation?
House Bill 439 would appropriate $230,500 in funds annually to support three new full-time positions. These new positions would include an OGI Personnel Technician, a Risk Property Values Analyst, and a Financial Specialist. The creation of these new positions would add to the overall size and ongoing expense of the government.
(-1)
