Idaho State Historical Society requests spending authority, staff and moving funds to consolidate archives and advance America250 commemoration

The Idaho State Historical Society told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Wednesday it needs reappropriation and spending authority to manage funds the agency raises and to support several initiatives including archives consolidation, staffing at the Old Idaho Penitentiary and the state’s America250 commemoration.

Janet Gallimore, director of the Historical Society, told the committee the agency’s responsibilities are set out in state law (Chapter 41, Title 67 of Idaho Code) and that the society’s budget combines general fund support with non‑state revenue from admissions, grants, contracts and private fundraising. Gallimore said the agency often needs legislative spending authority to accept and spend large federal or foundation grants that require audited accounting.

What the agency requested

- Personnel and operations: Fiscal‑year 2026 requests include an ongoing 1.0 FTP archivist technician ($62,900 ongoing), and ongoing personnel funded by the Old Idaho Penitentiary…