House Bill H0083

2015 Freedom Index Score: (-2)

Analyst: Parrish Miller
Date of analysis: February 6, 2015

ANALYST'S NOTE: House Bill 083 creates a new section of Idaho Code, Section 33-4305, known as
"Postsecondary Credit Scholarship." These scholarships would be in the amounts of $2,000 for students
who have earned "at least ten (10) postsecondary semester credits upon graduation from an Idaho
public high school or Idaho public charter high school"; $4,000 for students who have earned "at least
twenty (20) postsecondary semester credits upon graduation from an Idaho public high school or Idaho
public charter high school"; and "an amount equal to the tuition and fees charged by the publicly funded
institution of higher education in Idaho where the scholarship is to be applied" for students who have
earned "an associate's degree from an accredited institution upon graduation from an Idaho public high
school or Idaho public charter high school."
In addition to the creation of a new government program, House Bill 083 also offers a special perk (in
the form of wealth redistribution) to certain recipients. It is worth noting also that these scholarships are
available only to students in public high schools, not to those who attend private schools or who are
home schooled. This further exacerbates the issue of it being a special perk because it is not only
redistribution, but it is redistribution which is made available only to a select class of individuals.

Point No. 1 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?
ANALYSIS: House Bill 083 creates a new government program known as the "Postsecondary
Credit Scholarship." (-1)

Point No. 6 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.
Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth?

ANALYSIS: House Bill 083 redistributes money in the form of scholarships. These scholarships
can be $2,000, $4,000, or the full cost of two years of college education. The scholarships are
available only to students in Idaho public high schools or Idaho public charter high schools. (-1)