Education

failed · Idaho · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 1419: IDAHO CHILD CARE PROGRAM – Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Child Care Program.

This bill creates the Idaho Child Care Program to help low-income families in Idaho afford child care for their children under 13, or older children with disabilities, while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. The program requires parents to meet specific work or education hour thresholds, such as at least 30 hours per week for one parent in a two-parent household, and sets income limits based on federal poverty guidelines and state median income estimates. It establishes rules for provider qualifications, program oversight, and eligibility redetermination every 12 months, while also defining intentional program violations and creating a waiting list system. The bill includes provisions for using federal and state funds to improve child care quality and capacity building, with an emergency declaration to expedite implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables parents to work or attend school by providing child care support, indirectly expanding educational access for families.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 907: APPROPRIATIONS – DIVISION OF CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION – Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Career Technical Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill allocates state funding to Idaho's Division of Career Technical Education for the Secondary and General Programs program over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides $1,877,300 for the 2026-2027 period and $957,600 for the 2025-2026 period, both drawn from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund. The money is designated specifically for trustee and benefit payments related to the program. The legislation includes an emergency declaration to allow Section 2 to take effect immediately upon signing, while Section 1 becomes active on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to Division of Career Technical Education, directly supporting education programs and increasing government spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding to Idaho's Division of Career Technical Education for secondary and general programs, directly supporting education through financial resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 876: APPROPRIATIONS – STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – Relates to the maintenance appropriation to the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates state funding for Idaho's education system for fiscal year 2027, directing money to the State Board of Education, public universities, community colleges, and related agencies. It establishes specific dollar amounts for personnel, operating expenses, and capital outlays for institutions including Boise State, Idaho State, Lewis-Clark State, University of Idaho, and four community colleges. The legislation also sets limits on the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions for certain programs and provides flexibility to transfer funds between expense categories for higher education and health education programs. Additionally, it adjusts student tuition and fees for the upcoming fiscal year and designates funds for standards review, data sharing, and accountability reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding for education system including universities and community colleges, directly advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for Idaho's education system including public universities, community colleges, and State Board of Education for FY 202795% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 712: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho State Seal of Excellence in Civics Program.

H 712 creates the Idaho State Seal of Excellence in Civics program, a voluntary initiative for high school students to earn a diploma endorsement by meeting specific civic education requirements. To qualify, students must complete required social studies courses (with a 3.25 GPA), score 90% on a civics assessment, complete a civics project, and participate in activities like 50 hours of community service or 15 hours of civic engagement. Participating school districts must track eligible students, affix the seal to diplomas, and report annual data, with the state providing the seal and implementation resources at no cost. Schools where 75% or more of seniors earn the seal will be designated as "Idaho Schools of Civics Excellence" and featured in annual state reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary civics program requiring coursework, assessments, and community service to enhance student civic education and graduation standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 762: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public charter school admission procedures.

This Idaho bill (H 762) revises public charter school admission rules and staff certification requirements. It prohibits charter schools from using a student's home address for admissions and prevents school districts from mandating student attendance or staff assignments at charters. The bill creates new certification paths for charter school administrators (requiring degrees, experience, and background checks) and teachers (with flexible education or career-technical qualifications). These changes directly affect Idaho's public charter schools, their leadership, and teaching staff by standardizing qualifications and contractual relationships with educational service providers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits home address use in charter admissions (expanding access) and creates flexible teacher certification paths (supporting educator recruitment), aligning with education access and quality indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 20, 2026

H 599: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Public School Digital Content and Curriculum Fund.

This bill establishes the Public School Digital Content and Curriculum Fund in Idaho's state treasury, administered by the Idaho Department of Education. It provides state funding for public school districts (including specialized programs like the Idaho Bureau of Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind) to purchase digital content, curriculum, and academic text support systems that directly improve student achievement in areas like reading, math, career readiness, and college preparation. School districts must demonstrate how requested funds (capped at $50,000 per request) will help meet measurable student performance targets outlined in their continuous improvement plans, with funding distributed first-come, first-served based on needs-based criteria. The bill also specifies that funds are continuously appropriated and interest earned must be returned to the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state fund for public school digital curriculum, increasing budget allocation for education spending without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state fund for digital curriculum/content to improve student achievement in reading/math/career readiness, directly funding educational resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds digital content and curriculum for schools, directly supporting educational technology use and aligning with Science and Technology subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 20, 2026

H 731: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the State of Idaho to elect to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program.

Idaho's H 731 allows the state to join the federal tax credit scholarship program, enabling Idaho families to use state tax credits for private school scholarships. The bill requires the Idaho Department of Education to annually publish a list of qualified scholarship groups, certify the state's authority to participate, and accept submissions from those groups year-round. It ensures Idaho meets federal requirements to participate starting in tax year 2027, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Idaho's education department and scholarship organizations operating within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state tax credits for private school scholarships, directly using tax policy to fund education through tax credits.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access through tax-credit scholarships for private schools, directly aligning with topic's focus on educational access options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 18, 2026

H 663: LICENSE PLATES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding agriculture license plates.

H 663 amends Idaho law to allow agriculture license plates to feature unique designs highlighting Idaho farming, approved by the Food Producers of Idaho, Inc. and the Idaho ag in the classroom program, instead of following standard plate design rules. It adjusts fee distribution: $10 from the initial plate fee and $10 from annual renewals go to the state highway fund, while the remainder supports agricultural education programs. The bill affects farm vehicle owners (typically those with vehicles under 26,000 pounds gross weight) who use these specialty plates, with changes taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects $10 plate fee remainder to agricultural education programs, explicitly funding curriculum initiatives through Idaho ag in the classroom program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs $10 plate fees to state highway fund, directly funding transportation infrastructure as part of fee distribution.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 18, 2026

H 636: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the School District Facilities Fund.

Idaho's H 636 revises how school districts access state funds for building and maintenance projects. It creates a dedicated School District Facilities Fund in the state treasury, using money from specific tax codes and legislative appropriations. The fund must be distributed by August 1 each year to school districts based on student attendance, with strict spending priorities: first paying existing school bonds and required levies, then allowing use for new construction, renovations, or maintenance. This reduces property tax levies for school districts since these funds replace some local tax revenue, directly affecting all Idaho school districts and their property taxpayers. The bill also includes temporary adjustments for fiscal years 2025-2026 related to bond levy equalization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund using tax revenues for school facilities, ensuring consistent funding for essential education infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated School District Facilities Fund for school construction/maintenance, directly increasing infrastructure funding through structured distribution.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Idaho · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 1358: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the career ladder for superintendents and building-level administrators.

This bill updates Idaho's career ladder system for school staff, including superintendents, building administrators, and instructional employees, by adjusting how compensation increases are calculated based on experience and performance. It establishes specific pathways for salary progression tied to years of certification, professional endorsements, and performance evaluations, while also creating provisions for career technical education instructors with industry experience to receive equivalent placement on the ladder. The legislation requires school districts to allocate funds based on staff positions on the career ladder, with additional funding for staff who earn advanced degrees or meet specific performance criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens education by updating career ladder systems for school staff, improving compensation structures, and creating pathways for professional development and career technical education instructors.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes career ladder pathways and compensation increases based on experience and performance for school staff, strengthening employment standards and worker benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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