Rating: –1

Bill Summary:

Senate Bill 1137 provides a supplemental appropriation for the Division of Veterans Services for Fiscal Year 2026. It adds $1,810,200 in new funding from four sources: the General Fund, Miscellaneous Revenue Fund, Veterans Home Endowment Income Fund, and Federal Grant Fund. The funds will support personnel costs, operating expenditures, and capital outlay for veterans homes in Boise and Lewiston. The bill also reduces prior appropriations by $1,101,200, partially offsetting the increase. In addition, it reappropriates up to $111,488,600 in unspent federal grant funds for one-time expenses tied to veterans care. An emergency clause enacts the bill effective July 1, 2025.

Reason for Rating:
S1137 expands state spending through fragmented fund increases and authorizes a massive reappropriation of over $111 million in federal grant dollars without requiring new legislative review. While the purpose—supporting veterans—is legitimate, the bill relies heavily on deficit-funded federal programs and lacks transparency, circumventing Idaho’s standard budget oversight process. The inclusion of an emergency clause for routine facility and staffing adjustments further undermines legislative integrity. These structural flaws and dependencies violate the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s commitments to limited government, fiscal responsibility, and reduced federal entanglement, resulting in a negative rating.