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JFAC funds Idaho State Historical Society moves, staff and America250 transfer; trailer bill follows
Summary
The committee approved funding additions for staff and moving archives at the Idaho State Historical Society, and later voted to transfer $821,200 into the America250 Commemoration Fund and appropriate it to the State Treasurer for reappropriation authority.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 24 approved supplemental and enhancement requests for the Idaho State Historical Society, including funding for staff at the Old Idaho Penitentiary, archivist support, archival moves into a climate‑controlled facility, and related IT equipment. The committee also moved remaining America250 commemoration funds into a dedicated account at the State Treasurer.
Budget staff told the committee the Historical Society requested $141,000 for two full‑time positions at the Old Penitentiary (a store manager and an education specialist), $62,900 for a limited‑service archivist technician to publish archive holdings online, $450,000 (one‑time) for moving state collections and archives into a centralized location, and $90,200 for IT equipment recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services. The governor recommended the items. Committee analysts and the agency director confirmed the earlier building appropriation did not include moving funds.
Senator Cook moved a fiscal‑year 2026 maintenance motion that adds the positions and the $506,900 general‑fund request plus dedicated and federal fund amounts; the motion passed on roll call with a combined vote of 14 ayes and 6 nays and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.
Separately, committee members considered a trailer bill related to House Bill 357 that establishes the America250 commemoration fund and an advisory council. The committee voted to move a remaining balance of approximately $821,200 from the general fund into the America250 Commemoration Fund; Representative Mitchell moved the transfer and the motion passed unanimously in both chambers' JFAC panels (20‑0). The State Treasurer’s Office then received the appropriation and re‑appropriation authority for any unspent funds.
Committee discussion noted the advisory committee favors celebrations and events over permanent monuments; staff said $128,725 of the original $1,650,000 appropriated to America250 had already been expended and the transfer covers remaining funds. The transcript does not list specific grant recipients, event plans, or a detailed expenditure schedule beyond what staff summarized.
