Representative Steve Miller
2026 Legislative Update
For Week 3 Ending January 30, 2026
Current
The pace is beginning to pick up though not too many bills through committee or coming to the floor yet.
I was honored to receive the “Friend of Co-ops” award from the Northwest Agricultural Cooperative Council at the FFA luncheon. It is very rewarding to receive recognition for many years of supporting Idaho agriculture.
There has been much discussion and analysis of the cost of conformity to the BBB (Big Beautiful Bill). I believe JFAC will use $155 million for everything but research which is difficult to determine. It will be retroactive to the beginning of 2025.
There will probably be budget rescissions (reductions) of 2% to 5% for most agencies. A few will have no cuts depending on the current situation. Rescissions and fund transfers of about $160 million will help cover the population cost increases of Medicaid and Corrections as well as the BBB. There will be a few agencies that will see a modest but necessary budget increase.
While many are upset by these cuts, it is important to remember that budgets have nearly doubled in the last 10 years. Medicaid is the highest at approximately 98%, public education at approximately 88%. The CPI (Consumer Price Index)increased 34% over the same period.It is only when budgets are cut that agencies and JFAC are forced to prioritize needs and determine the most effective spending to fulfill statutory requirements.
Bills may be viewed at: Bill List
Millertime
I attended 10 receptions or dinners in the last week and half including the Idaho Association Counties, Association of Idaho Cities, Potato growers, Sugar beet growers and the University Teachers group. It makes the days very long, but it is an opportunity to see friends, people from our District and around the state and talk about their needs.
The Week
The Liberty Bell in front of the Capital is being refurbished as part of the semi-quincentennial250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Joining me were Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth and Senator Scott Grow, JFAC Senate Co-Chair.
Idaho has a great wealth of minerals. The best estimates exceed $1 trillion!! Most strategic minerals, including rare earth elements, are abundant. In addition, there are large copper deposits as well as significant gold and silver. U of I had a School of Mines until 2002 when part of it was disbanded, other parts absorbed into other colleges. As a result, Idaho has not aggressively pursued 
extracting our natural resources. President Trump’s FAST-41will speed up the federal permitting process and Idaho needs to reshape and coordinate Idaho’s regulatory process so as to facilitate companies to begin their operations. Some are concerned that it will reduce or eliminate environmental protection. That is not true. The law is the law and will be followed. However, the process can be much more efficient in far less time.
Two years ago, the bullion block I held was worth about $60,000. The current value would be around $120,000!!
House Session & Votes
Chief Justice Robert Bevan of the Idaho Supreme Court addressed the House. He talked about the need for increased security for courts and judges following a rise in violent threats.There is a significant need for mental health courts and some changes needed in that program. The Idaho court system handles over 140,000 cases per year.
H493 regarding increased penalties for commercial sexual activity should come up next week.
H514 regarding reducing hours required for a Cosmetology license has caused a flurry of email activity.
A full list of bills may be found at: Bill List.
The House Session may be viewed live at: House Session
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
JFAC has had 21 budget hearings in the last 2 weeks including Public Education, Office of State Board of Education, Higher Education, Health and Human Services, Medicaid, Military Division, Judicial and Corrections. That represents about 90% of the general fund budget.
Workgroups started meeting this week and will continue until those budgets are passed out of JFAC.
Budget hearing and setting schedules may be viewed at: Budget Schedules
JFAC agendas may be viewed at: JFAC Agendas
The JFAC meetings may be viewed live at: View JFAC
To look further into Idaho’s fiscal transparency, Idahoans can now quickly click to view historic and current statewide budget appropriations and agency expenditures for the fiscal year at Budget Information and Fiscal Dashboards.
Agricultural Affairs Committee
U of I economic presentation revealed most commodities are down, cattle are good and dairy is good. Ag is about 13% of Idaho’s GDP
The Potato Commission said that China and India are getting into potato production. China has progressed to satisfy their internal needs and plan on growing production to begin export.
There are about 310,000 acres of potatoes grown in Idaho. The average yield was 440 sacks over a normal of 400 sacks thus the price of spuds in down.
The Sugar beet Growers presented to the Ag Committee. 73% of domestic consumption is satisfied by domestic production. There are approximately 700 growers on 180,000 acres in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Amalgamated Sugar provides 9% of domestic consumption with plants in Twin Falls, Paul and Nampa.2025 was the biggest crop ever thus the reduced prices to growers.
Ag Committee meetings may be viewed live on even numbered days at 1:30pm at: View Ag
Resources and Conservation Committee
There were several RSs that were approved to print that we will see as bills.
HJM 9 Forest Products
HJM 9 Fed land policy concerned Federal Land Policy and Management Act
Pickett move to introduce RS
RS 32883 Moving the Soil& Water Commission from the Department of Ag to IDWR.
H511 Increases charge for state fire protection for houses and buildings from $40 to $100 per year.
There were 4 RSs that removed many pages of statute that were no longer appropriate.
There were 3 sets of rule changes that were examined and approved.
Resources meetings may be viewed live on odd numbered days at 1:30pm at:View Resources
Bill Highlights
Bill # Topic Vote
No hot ones have come through yet!!
You may view the full list of bills at and the bill status at:Bill List
It is an honor to serve as your Representative in the Idaho House of Representatives. Please forward this update to anyone you feel would be interested in receiving it.
Please put the name of your town in the subject line if you email me. I often get over 100 emails a day!
Representative Steven Miller
District 24B
Camas, Gooding, and Rural Twin Falls Counties
Vice Chair Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee
Resources & Conservation Committee
Agricultural Affairs Committee
Idaho State Capitol
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0038
208-332-1061
SMiller@house.idaho.gov
Common Sense Solutions 