Bill > H0898

This bill establishes a new State Historic Preservation Program within the office of species, minerals, and energy coordination, overseen by a State Historic Preservation Officer appointed by the governor who will have the authority to hire staff and appoint a review board to ensure compliance with the national historic preservation act, a federal law that guides the nation's historic preservation efforts. The bill also revises a definition within the Idaho Code to remove the State Historic Preservation Office from the list of entities that comprise the Idaho State Historical Society, and it removes language that previously allowed the Director of the Society to also serve as the State Historic Preservation Officer, while repealing the section of law that previously outlined this dual role, and declares an emergency to make these changes effective on July 1, 2026.