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H 357

PUBLIC FUNDS – Adds to existing law to establish the America250 Commemoration Fund and the America250 Advisory Committee.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Creates the America250 Commemoration Fund and a 7-member Advisory Committee to guide Idaho's 250th anniversary activities, using 2024 appropriations and gifts; sunsets July 1, 2027.

Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2025 Session Law Chapter 256 Effective: 04/02/2025; 07/01/2027 Sunset Clause - SECTION 1
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Bill Summary · H 357

Summary — H 357: America250 Commemoration Fund & Advisory Committee

Status: Enacted (Session Law Ch. 256). Signed by Governor April 2, 2025; effective immediately. Section 1 (the fund/committee) sunsets July 1, 2027.

Purpose

Creates a dedicated state treasury account — the America250 Commemoration Fund — and a seven‑member America250 Advisory Committee to manage Idaho’s participation in the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the America250 Commemoration Fund in the state treasury for funding Idaho’s America250 activities. Moneys may be used only as directed by the advisory committee.
  • Fund sources:
    • Remaining amounts appropriated by the 2024 Legislature for America250 activities (fiscal note references $1,650,000 originally appropriated in 2024).
    • Gifts, grants, and other donations.
  • Investment and interest: State Treasurer invests idle fund balances; interest remains in the fund.
  • Reversion: All unobligated funds in the account on June 30, 2027, transfer to the general fund.
  • Creates the America250 Advisory Committee (7 members):
    • Members: Director of the State Historical Society, State Treasurer, 1 gubernatorial appointee, and 4 legislative council appointees.
    • Chair selected by the legislative council.
    • Committee directs and approves all fund distributions; must meet at least annually.
  • Spending authority and administration:
    • Division of Financial Management (DFM) must approve spending authority for state entities to implement committee directives — using the approval process for non‑cognizable funds under Idaho Code §67‑3516(2).
    • If a state entity lacks an allowable miscellaneous revenue fund, it must establish one to accept/disburse funds.
    • State Treasurer must record and track revenues and expenditures by fund source to prevent overcommitment.
  • Emergency clause: Act effective upon signature.

Fiscal impact

Per the attached fiscal note, no net impact to the general fund because the bill reallocates existing appropriations (remaining 2024 America250 funds) into a new account; interest earned is retained by the fund. Unexpended amounts revert mid‑2027.

Who is affected

  • State Historical Society and other state entities implementing America250 activities (may require establishing/using miscellaneous revenue funds).
  • Local governments, nonprofit partners, event organizers, vendors, and other recipients of grants/donations directed by the advisory committee.
  • State Treasurer and DFM (administration, tracking, and approval responsibilities).

Timeline / Sunset

  • Effective on enactment (April 2, 2025).
  • All unobligated funds revert to general fund June 30, 2027.
  • Section establishing the fund and committee is null and void July 1, 2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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