Bill Description: House Bill 421 would create a "cybersecurity and resiliency fund" for state government.

Rating: -2

NOTE: House Bill 421 is similar to House Bill 168 (2025). The most notable difference is found in the bills' respective fiscal notes. The fiscal note for House Bill 168 calls for "a $10,000,000 ongoing transfer from the General Fund to the Cybersecurity and Resiliency Fund." The fiscal note for House Bill 421 says, "There is no fiscal impact for this legislation at this time." While the planned transfer acknowledged in House Bill 168's fiscal note may not happen "at this time," the purpose of the fund remains unchanged. 

Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?

House Bill 421 would create Section 67-838, Idaho Code, to establish the "cybersecurity and resiliency fund" in the state treasury to address "the state's ongoing needs for information technology infrastructure and cybersecurity technology."

The bill would require the Idaho Office of Information Technology Services to create a 5-year plan for "replacement of information technology infrastructure and cybersecurity technology."

(-1)

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

The fiscal note for House Bill 421 says, "There is no fiscal impact for this legislation at this time. The legislation establishes a fund to provide flexibility and visibility once the consolidation of OITS is complete to transfer funds for statewide cybersecurity and IT infrastructure needs." 

While it is technically true that creating the cybersecurity and resiliency fund does not create an expenditure "at this time," the purpose of the fund remains the same as in House Bill 168, whose fiscal note acknowledged the intended $10,000,000 transfer to the fund. 

Regardless of how or when the transfer ultimately occurs, the purpose of the fund is to facilitate government spending.

(-1)