Education

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 831: ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to prohibit certain in-person instruction in schools on election day.

This bill amends Idaho school law to prohibit in-person student instruction on election days, ensuring schools do not operate as polling places unless a specific agreement is made between the county clerk and school district. It directly affects school districts, students, and election officials by restricting classroom activities during election periods while allowing exceptions for activities that do not require students to be inside buildings used for voting. The law permits professional development, training, and extracurricular activities on election days as long as they do not involve students being present in designated polling locations, and it grants the state board of education authority to waive instructional hour requirements when election-related closures are necessary.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts in-person instruction on election days, limiting normal school operations and educational activities during those periods.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1412: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act.

This bill establishes the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act to enhance student safety by requiring schools to verify the background and conduct history of all school employees. It mandates that school districts require job applicants to provide sworn statements about any past investigations, resignations during investigations, or disciplinary actions for misconduct, while non-district schools must obtain written authorization to contact an applicant's past employers for the last ten years to verify such information. The law also requires schools to report certain misconduct-related resignations or terminations to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission and clarifies that schools cannot delay reporting child abuse to law enforcement to conduct internal investigations. Additionally, it provides legal protections for employers who share information in good faith and outlines specific conditions under which private school employees can bring claims against their employers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances student safety by requiring background checks and disclosure of past investigations for school employees, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring accountability.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances student safety by requiring background checks and disclosure of misconduct for school employees, protecting students and educators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 832: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding career technical education certificates.

This bill amends Idaho law to create a new Division of Career Technical Education within the state board of education, led by an appointed administrator. The division will coordinate career technical education efforts, develop virtual course options, and maintain a list of pathways that can be delivered online, in person, or through a mix of both. It also establishes new criteria for issuing teaching certificates to career technical education instructors, allowing individuals with industry certifications, significant professional experience, or relevant degrees to qualify if they complete approved training. Additionally, the bill ensures that postsecondary credits earned in career technical programs transfer at full value between public Idaho colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates new Division of Career Technical Education, expands virtual course options, and establishes new certification criteria for CTE instructors, enhancing educational access and teacher qualifications.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates Division of Career Technical Education to develop virtual course options and maintain online learning pathways, directly advancing technology integration in education.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 711: EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for alternative authorization for administrators and to authorize the use of funds for related mentoring.

Idaho's H 711 creates an alternative pathway for school administrators to obtain temporary certification without traditional credentials. It establishes two routes: "grow your own" for experienced Idaho teachers (5+ years) and "executive leadership" for professionals from business/government/military (5+ years in leadership roles). The bill requires school districts to provide 70+ hours of structured mentoring over two years, using existing funds, and mandates competency assessments to address knowledge gaps. Successful completion leads to a standard administrator certificate, directly affecting school districts hiring principals/superintendents and career-changers entering education leadership.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative certification pathways for school administrators with mentoring and competency assessments, addressing staffing gaps while maintaining quality standards in education leadership.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1288: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the establishment of the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund.

This bill creates the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to reimburse school districts and charter schools for special education costs exceeding $30,000 per student with a disability. It covers eligible expenses like therapy, specialized equipment, and nursing services directly tied to an individualized education program (IEP), excluding routine classroom costs. Reimbursement provides up to 100% of costs above $30,000 (capped at $80,000) and 80% above $80,000, with a maximum $100,000 per student annually. Funds are allocated 60% to non-rural and 40% to rural school districts, with annual reports required starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded reimbursement program for special education costs, increasing state budget allocation for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to reimburse schools for special education costs exceeding $30k, directly increasing funding for high-need students' educational needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 815: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the transportation support program.

This bill updates Idaho's Transportation Support Program to clarify which costs school districts and transportation providers can claim for reimbursement when moving students to and from school. It defines allowable expenses such as vehicle maintenance, driver salaries, and contracted transportation services, while excluding costs for optional vehicle features not essential for safety or disability transport. The state will typically cover 50% of reimbursable costs, with higher reimbursement rates for training, fees, and bus maintenance, and includes a cap based on statewide average costs per mile or per student rider. The law also extends reimbursement eligibility to home-based public virtual schools for internet, equipment, and face-to-face visit costs, and establishes specific criteria for hardship bus runs that may qualify for higher reimbursement limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies and maintains funding for school transportation reimbursements, ensuring continued state support for essential education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies and updates transportation reimbursement for school districts, ensuring schools can better fund student transportation needs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies and expands reimbursement for school transportation costs, strengthening the Transportation Support Program and funding vehicle maintenance and driver salaries.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 922: APPROPRIATIONS – COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES – Relates to the appropriation to the State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho for College and Universities and the Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates state funding to four Idaho higher education institutions - Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, and the University of Idaho - for fiscal year 2027. It provides new money from various funds for personnel and operating costs while simultaneously reducing operating expenditure amounts from the General Fund by a total of $752,900. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to the State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to four Idaho higher education institutions for fiscal year 2027, providing new money for personnel and operating costs, which strengthens public education funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding to four Idaho higher education institutions for fiscal year 2027, providing new money for personnel and operating costs despite some General Fund reductions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 921: APPROPRIATIONS – DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – Relates to the appropriation to the State Department of Education for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates $517,800 to Idaho's State Department of Education for the Student Services Program during fiscal year 2027. The funds come from three sources: the School Bus Camera Fund, the American Rescue Plan Fund, and the Federal Grant Fund, with specific allocations for personnel, operating expenses, and trustee and benefit payments. The legislation declares an emergency to ensure the money takes effect immediately on July 1, 2026, allowing the department to use these resources without delay.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $517,800 to fund the State Department of Education's Student Services Program, directly advancing budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $517,800 to State Department of Education for Student Services Program, directly funding education operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 761: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL – Amends and repeals existing law to provide for the consolidation of the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council.

This bill consolidates Idaho's STEM education programs under the Workforce Development Council by repealing the separate Idaho STEM Action Center structure. It transfers responsibilities like computer science education initiatives, STEM funding oversight, and program coordination to the Council. The key change revises references from "STEM Action Center" to "Workforce Development Council" in all relevant laws, streamlining oversight of K-12 computer science programs and STEM education funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationConsolidates STEM education oversight under Workforce Council, maintaining program funding and coordination without defunding or restricting K-12 STEM initiatives.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill consolidates STEM education programs including computer science initiatives under workforce council, advancing tech education funding and coordination through administrative streamlining.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 785: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding inappropriate online behavior by students and to prescribe a process for student discipline by the school district or public charter school.

This bill requires Idaho public schools to address student online harassment targeting staff or others by creating a process for reporting, investigating, and disciplining students. It defines "inappropriate online behavior" as harassment, threats, or bullying via internet, mobile devices, or social media that harms school employees, students, parents, or volunteers. Schools must investigate reports, notify parents, and impose discipline like warnings, behavior programs, or suspension. The law does not block victims from pursuing other legal remedies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to address online harassment via discipline process, protecting school environment and staff safety, aligning with education protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education