IdahoGovernor appoints officer to oversee state historic preservation
Beginning July 1, 2026, the governor appoints the state historic preservation officer, while a designated state office runs the preservation program.
What it does
The governor appoints a qualified state historic preservation officer, sets the officer's pay, and may allow staff hiring to support the program.
The Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination runs and enforces the state historic preservation program within federal-law limits.
The preservation officer appoints a federally compliant review board. The act also identifies a related officer statute for repeal, while another section still refers to it.
Argument forA single appointed officer and review board could give state preservation work clearer leadership and coordination.
Argument againstMoving program administration to another state office could create confusion about responsibilities, especially because the text still refers to a statute it identifies for repeal.
More detail
The governor appoints a state historic preservation officer and sets the officer's pay. The officer must have suitable education, training, experience, and demonstrated ability. The officer serves at the governor's pleasure. The officer may hire staff needed to run the state historic preservation program. These provisions apply on and after July 1, 2026.
The Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination administers and enforces the state historic preservation program. The program must follow the National Historic Preservation Act and may not exceed federal-law standards. The program's administration and enforcement are subject to the requirements of federal law. These provisions apply on and after July 1, 2026.
The state historic preservation officer appoints a qualified state historic preservation review board, and the act identifies Section 67-4127A for repeal. The review board must meet the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act. The officer must appoint an adequate and qualified board. The supplied text also says the society director may serve as preservation officer if appointed under Section 67-4127A. These provisions apply on and after July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on one legislative day Session Law Chapter 296 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Apr 1Delivered to Governor at 12:50 p.m. on April 1, 2026To Governor
- Apr 1Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 31Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 31Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 31Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 31Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 30Read third time in full – PASSED - 23-12-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Keyser, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Toews, VanOrden, WoodwardNAYS – Foreman, Hart, Kohl, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - Den HartogTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 23Introduced, read first time; referred to: State AffairsMinor
- Mar 23Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 20Rules Suspended: Ayes 70 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 0, read in full as required – PASSED - 53-16-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Holtzclaw, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Cayler, Church, Egbert, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Haws, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, Rubel, Skaug, Tanner(13)Absent – HillFloor Sponsor - FurnissTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 70 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 0, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 20Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 16Reported Printed and Referred to Business
- Mar 13Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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