Bill Description: House Bill 466 would set up a fund to make it possible for the state to give $5 million to confined animal feeding operations in the name of encouraging them to implement environmental improvement programs.
Rating: -3
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 466 creates Section 39-3628B, Idaho Code, to establish the "confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) improvement fund." The fund is intended to facilitate spending $5 million from the general fund "to support implementation of environmental improvement programs on confined animal feeding operations."
(-1)
Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?
House Bill 466's fiscal note explains the purpose of creating this fund: "A one-time appropriation of $5 million from the General Fund is expected as part of the DEQ appropriation."
The state should not be spending taxpayer dollars to subsidize confined animal feeding operations or encourage them to implement environmental improvement programs.
(-1)
Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees.
House Bill 466 creates a fund to distribute (taxpayer-funded) grants exclusively to "owners and operators of a dairy farm, "owners and operators of a beef cattle animal feeding operation," and "owners and operators of a concentrated animal feeding operation." This is redistribution of wealth to specific types of businesses.
(-1)
