Rating: –1

Bill Summary:

House Bill 466 reallocates $821,200 in General Fund dollars previously appropriated to the Idaho State Historical Society for Fiscal Year 2025 and redirects it to the State Treasurer for operating expenses related to the America250 Commemoration. The bill transfers the funds to the America250 Commemoration Fund and authorizes their use through FY2025, with any unspent funds reappropriated into FY2026. It includes an emergency clause, making the bill effective immediately upon passage.

Reason for Rating:

While budget-neutral in appearance, House Bill 466 diverts public resources from core historical preservation efforts to fund ceremonial and promotional activities with no accountability, performance standards, or constitutional necessity. The appropriation lacks clear purpose or deliverables and risks expanding soft bureaucracy under the guise of patriotic celebration. The reappropriation clause weakens fiscal oversight, and the emergency clause further reduces transparency. These features contradict the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s principles of limited government, responsible stewardship, and spending discipline. For these reasons, H0466 is rated –1.