Idaho Bills

Appropriates an additional $229,300 to the Department of Administration for the Purchasing Program; transfers $176,000 from the Idaho Education Network Fund; and appropriates an additional $461,800 for the Information Technology Program for fiscal year 2016.

Appropriates and transfers an additional $13,140,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2016; appropriates $20,274,700 to the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2017; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 138; provides a dedicated fund cash transfer; provides notification of a contract renewal or extension; directs continuation of health insurance premium cost sharing with state employees; and provides legislative intent regarding the employee group insurance plan structure.

ThisisanFY2016supplementalappropriationtotheDepartmentofAdministrationof$13,140,000 from the General Fund to maintain the contractually required minimum beginning reserve fund balance in FY 2017 with Blue Cross of Idaho. The amount is based on projected estimates related to utilization and plan costs. This is also the FY 2017 appropriation to the Department of Administration in the amount of $20,274,700 with full-time equivalent positions capped at 138. It includes $148,500 for the increased cost of benefits, $14,000 in inflationary adjustments to pay for increased security costs at the State Capitol Building, $107,200 for replacement items, $140,200 for statewide cost allocation, an increase of $258,600 for an ongoing 3% merit-based increase in employee compensation for permanent employees, and $312,200 for the one-time cost of the 27th payroll period that will occur in FY 2017. This bill also provides funding for four line items: Line item #1 shifts $50,000 in personnel costs between programs for a net increase of $0, in order to better align appropriations to anticipated expenditures across the entire department. The Insurance Management Program, which includes group insurance and risk management, has experienced management turnover in FY 2016. Attracting new management staff and other program reorganizations have put pressure on an already tight personnel budget. The changes will accommodate program restructuring and provide sufficient appropriation for vacation payoff, if necessary, without forcing the programs to leave critical positions vacant. Line item #2 provides $78,100 for maintenance and utility costs. Revenue for the Capitol Mall is increasing in FY 2017 with the addition of new tenants in the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center. Rent fees pay for repairs, janitorial services, security, landscaping, and utilities necessary to operate the Capitol Mall facilities and this line item provides the appropriation the department needs to spend the increased