Call to Action

House Bill 898

We have been called to action by our partners at Preservation Idaho to join a unified front in opposing House Bill 898. As planning professionals, we recognize that this legislation poses a significant threat to the professional integrity of historic preservation and the established inter-agency coordination processes across our state.

The hearing is coming up THIS Thursday, March 19 at 1:30pm MT with the House Business Committee. Sign up to testify at the hearing or contact your representatives IMMEDIATELY to voice your concerns before the session on Thursday.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

On Friday, March 13th, the Idaho House Ways and Means Committee introduced House Bill 898. This bill seeks to remove the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) from the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS) and relocate it under the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination (OSMEC).

OSMEC is a newly proposed agency under the Office of the Governor designed to advocate for the development of Idaho’s energy and mineral resources. Moving a regulatory and oversight body (SHPO) into an agency primarily tasked with project advocacy creates a fundamental misalignment of missions. With the 2026 legislative session ending this month, this bill is moving rapidly.

WHY IT MATTERS TO PLANNERS

For the Idaho planning community, the SHPO is a vital partner in land-use coordination and community identity:

• Professional Expertise: SHPO provides the technical data and architectural expertise necessary for sound local and regional planning.
• Federal Compliance: SHPO facilitates Section 106 compliance and access to federal funds, ensuring Idaho municipalities avoid legal and financial risks during development.
• Objective Oversight: Effective planning requires impartial review. Placing SHPO within an advocacy-based office creates an inherent conflict of interest that could compromise the integrity of federal and state project reviews.



WHAT YOU CAN DO

Idaho APA asks you to reach out to your legislators today. You can find your representative by entering your address here: Find Your Legislator.

KEY TALKING POINTS

• Maintain Impartiality: Consolidating a regulatory review office into a project advocacy agency undermines the objective review process essential for responsible development.
• Fiscal Accountability: No formal cost analysis has been conducted for HB 898. Without careful study, this consolidation may lead to unanticipated costs for Idaho taxpayers.
• Long-term Consequences: Historic preservation is a core component of comprehensive planning. This bill risks the long-term protection of Idaho’s cultural and historic resources.



TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

The legislative session is scheduled to conclude by the end of the month. Please contact your legislator today to ensure the professional planning perspective is represented in this debate.