H 590 replaces Idaho's existing Parental Choice Tax Credit program with a new tax credit system. It establishes a refundable state tax credit of up to $5,000 per eligible student (increasing to $7,500 for students with disabilities) for parents paying qualified education expenses at nonpublic schools, including tuition, textbooks, and transportation. The credit applies to Idaho residents aged 5-18 (or 5-21 for disabled students) who meet income limits (300% of federal poverty level), with priority given to low-income families and prior recipients. Parents must apply annually by January 15-March 15, and the state will issue credits or advance payments by August 30. The bill repeals the previous credit and its advance payment fund while creating new administrative requirements.
This bill increases Idaho's Parental Choice Tax Credit for 2026 and 2027, allowing eligible parents to claim up to $5,000 per child for education expenses. It directly affects Idaho parents of students aged 5-18 (or 5-21 for children with disabilities), covering costs like private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and transportation. Parents with income under 300% of the federal poverty level get priority, and families with children requiring disability services qualify for a higher $7,500 credit. To claim the credit, parents must apply annually, document expenses, and verify eligibility through the state tax commission.
Idaho's S 1336 requires all public high school students to demonstrate core virtues (like patriotism and justice) and master key principles of American self-government, including natural rights, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, before graduation. It mandates two credits each in American history and government for grades 9-12, with a full-year Western civilization course required for 8th graders by 2030. The bill specifies curricula must cover foundational documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution), the American founding era, and the influence of Western traditions, while including instruction on how totalitarian ideologies like communism conflict with U.S. principles. These changes directly affect Idaho public school students and educators developing course materials. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
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.
H 778 revises Idaho's dual enrollment rules to allow students from nonpublic schools (including private and home schools) and public charter schools to participate in public school nonacademic activities, such as sports and clubs. It requires these students to meet academic eligibility standards - like achieving minimum scores on state tests or approved assessments - to join such activities, with their primary school (where they take most courses) responsible for overseeing these standards. The bill also clarifies that dually enrolled students in public charter schools do not count toward enrollment limits and permits joint enrollment in alternative programs or postsecondary institutions, with credits counting toward graduation. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
H 784 requires Idaho public schools to provide daily outdoor recess of at least 20 minutes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with indoor alternatives (like gymnasiums) permitted when weather prevents outdoor time. It also encourages schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for students in grades six through eight. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to all public school districts and charter schools in Idaho. This directly affects K-5 students through mandated recess time and K-6-8 students through the encouragement of unstructured breaks.
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.
This Idaho bill (H 634) requires school districts and public charter schools to use state education funds only for the specific purposes they were designated for - such as textbooks or instructional programs - rather than diverting them to other uses. If funds are misused, the school must pay back the state, and if they fail to reimburse, the state will deduct the amount from their next state payment. The bill directly affects schools receiving state education funds by creating a clear accountability system for fund usage. It amends Idaho law to enforce proper fund allocation without adding new programs or changing existing funding levels.
Idaho bill S 1285 creates a new standard allowing graduates of nonpublic high schools to meet the high school diploma requirement for occupational licenses. The bill amends multiple licensing statutes (including podiatry and mortician licensing) to require that licensing authorities treat nonpublic school diplomas as equivalent to diplomas from accredited public schools or a GED. This change directly affects individuals who graduated from nonpublic schools seeking licenses in professions like podiatry, mortuary science, or other regulated fields. The key mechanism is a new section (67-9419) mandating that licensing boards accept nonpublic school diplomas as fulfilling the standard high school graduation requirement.
Idaho's H 595 requires all public schools and charter schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) by the 2026-2027 school year. These plans must ensure AEDs are accessible within three minutes of a cardiac arrest, include staff training in CPR/AED use following American Heart Association guidelines, and integrate with existing emergency policies. Schools with athletic programs must also maintain AEDs at all sports venues and require coaches to be certified in CPR/AED use. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and provides legal immunity for those following its requirements.
