Summary#

House Bill 974 is an Idaho law making an additional appropriation to the Idaho State Police for fiscal year 2027. It authorizes $6.695 million for personnel costs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; its stated purpose is to fund those costs. The law does not amend another Act.

• It allocates $130,000 to the Director’s Office, $260,000 to Capitol Protective Services, $2.21 million to Investigations, $3.835 million to Patrol, and $260,000 to Law Enforcement Programs.
• The money comes from the Idaho Law Enforcement (Project Choice) Fund ($6.5 million) and a Federal Grant Fund ($195,000, all allocated to Patrol).
• The appropriation is in addition to any other amounts provided by law. The law took effect July 1, 2026.

What it means for you#

• Idaho State Police: The agency may spend the additional amounts on personnel costs in the listed programs during fiscal year 2027.
• General public: The law does not directly change public rights, services, taxes, fees, or penalties. It does not specify how many positions or which personnel costs the money will cover.

Money#

The law appropriates $6.695 million for personnel costs in fiscal year 2027.

• $6.5 million is from the Idaho Law Enforcement (Project Choice) Fund; $195,000 is from a Federal Grant Fund.
• No estimate is provided for additional costs beyond the appropriated amount, or for any later savings or returns.

What is unclear#

• The law does not identify the positions, number of staff, or specific personnel costs covered.
• It does not explain the purpose or available balance of the Project Choice Fund. No publicly available information.
• It does not say whether the funded staffing or costs will continue after June 30, 2027.
• It does not describe the federal grant’s conditions or report what results the spending must achieve.

Case for#

• A possible argument for the law is that it directs additional funding to personnel costs across several Idaho State Police programs, including patrol, investigations, and Capitol protection.
• The separate program allocations make clear where the appropriation is assigned, while the federal grant contribution covers part of Patrol’s allocation.

Case against#

• The law does not explain what staffing needs the money addresses or what results the spending is expected to produce.
• Because it does not identify positions or whether costs will continue, the public cannot tell from this law what staffing changes will follow or what funding may be needed after fiscal year 2027.