Bill Analyses and Ratings

Rating: –1

Bill Summary:

House Bill 483 appropriates $644,300 from the Liquor Control Fund to the Idaho State Liquor Division for Fiscal Year 2026. The funding is designated as follows: $57,400 for personnel costs, $147,000 for operating expenditures, and $439,900 for capital outlay. This appropriation does not draw from the state’s General Fund but is financed through the Liquor Control Fund, which is funded by liquor sales managed by the state. The bill includes an emergency clause and becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Reason for Rating:

While the bill uses enterprise funds rather than taxpayer dollars, House Bill 483 reinforces and expands Idaho’s government-run liquor monopoly, contrary to free-market principles. The substantial capital outlay lacks transparency and likely supports infrastructure that could be handled more efficiently by the private sector. The appropriation sustains an outdated state-controlled model without exploring deregulation or privatization. Additionally, the inclusion of an emergency clause for a non-urgent expenditure undermines public deliberation. These factors conflict with the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s emphasis on limited government, free enterprise, and transparent budgeting. For these reasons, H0483 is rated –1.