JFAC approves Idaho State Historical Society supplemental funding and transfers remaining America250 balance to treasurer account

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 24 approved supplemental and enhancement funding for the Idaho State Historical Society and moved remaining America250 commemoration funds into a treasurer‑held account.

For the agency, LSO analyst Mr. Pree (Brandon Pree/Christopher Pree — listed as Mr. Pree in the transcript) outlined a package that included two full‑time positions for the Old Idaho Penitentiary (a store manager and an education specialist), a limited‑service archivist technician, one‑time costs for moving state collections to a centralized, climate‑controlled facility, and IT equipment recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services. Representative Gallaveez (listed as Representative Gallaveez in motions) moved and the committee approved an augmentation adding 3 FTE and a net increase of $744,100 (split as $506,900 general fund additional, $174,300 from dedicated funds, and $62,900 federal funds). The committee recorded a combined total of 14 ayes and 6 nays on that motion; the chair announced the motion will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

The committee also took two supplemental actions related to House Bill 357, which established the America250 commemoration fund and oversight council. LSO reported that $1,650,000 had been appropriated for America250; $128,725 had been expended and $821,200 remained. Representative Mitchell moved to reduce $821,200 from the historical society’s FY2025 general‑fund appropriation to move the remaining balance under the oversight of the America250 commemoration fund; that motion passed unanimously (20 ayes, 0 nays). The committee then approved a companion transfer and treasurer appropriation to move $821,200 from the general fund into the America250 Commemoration Fund and to appropriate that amount to the State Treasurer’s Office; that motion also passed unanimously (20 ayes, 0 nays) and included re‑appropriation authority for unused funds.

Committee discussion included questions from Representative Tanner about whether moving costs had already been budgeted with earlier building funding; the analyst and agency director confirmed prior appropriations had covered building costs but not the physical move to a climate‑controlled archive. The committee noted the collections moving request was a one‑time expense as part of a two‑year plan. LSO said the total expected moving cost is approximately $900,000.

With the motions adopted, the committee forwards the additional staffing, archival move, IT equipment, and the America250 fund transfer to the next steps in the legislative process.