Bill Description: House Bill 12 would prohibit state agencies and departments from donating to or sponsoring nongovernmental events or organizations without written permission from the governor.

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Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

In recent years, certain controversial events were heavily sponsored by state agencies, including the Department of Health and Welfare.

House Bill 12 would create Section 67-2359, Idaho Code, to say, "No department, division, bureau, or agency of the state of Idaho shall donate to or sponsor any nongovernmental event or organization unless the department, division, bureau, or agency is required to do so by law or has received prior written permission from the governor."

While this new provision could reduce spending on objectionable purposes, any such reduction would only take place if the governor refuses to sign off on it. This provision provides no meaningful legislative oversight and does not convey legislative intent regarding which donations or sponsorships should be eliminated.

An additional problem with this bill is that saying an agency may not "donate to or sponsor" an event or organization may not prevent an agency from transferring money in other ways. One example would be to pay a registration fee to have a booth at an event.

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