This bill amends Idaho state law to revise the structure, duties, and funding rules for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy, a public school-choice program that offers online courses to students. It establishes the Academy as a distinct governmental entity rather than a state department, outlines the responsibilities of its Board of Directors, and sets specific requirements for course offerings, staffing, and accreditation. Key provisions include limiting administrative staff to 30% of the budget, exempting teachers from certain employment classifications, defining course fees with a $40 cap for graduation-required classes, and allowing the Academy to contract with service providers for 24/7 online course delivery. The legislation also clarifies definitions for terms like "host district" and "custom section," while declaring an emergency to ensure immediate implementation of these changes.
This bill adjusts funding for Idaho's Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating $11.9 million from specific funds while reducing overall appropriations by nearly $10 million. The legislation lowers per-student funding for fully virtual schools, cuts $7.5 million in transportation reimbursements, and requires schools offering online classes to report enrollment and attendance data. It also modifies how English learner funds are distributed, establishes new requirements for technology education programs, and mandates a report on special education spending.
Idaho's H 542, the "Stop Harms from Addictive Social Media Act," targets major social media platforms (those earning $1+ billion in global ad revenue) operating in Idaho. It directly affects children under 16 by restricting platforms' use of specific "addictive interface features" like infinite scrolling, auto-play videos, and profile-based feeds. The law triggers two usage-based restrictions: after 25 cumulative hours in six months, platforms must notify parents; after 50 hours, they must disable addictive features for minors. The bill defines key terms and establishes enforcement mechanisms, focusing on protecting Idaho children's online experiences without banning social media use.
Idaho's H 750 defines "programmable money" (a digital asset that can be programmed for specific uses) and explicitly excludes it from the legal definition of "money." The bill establishes new rules limiting its use, provides legal remedies for violations, and creates criminal penalties for unauthorized or harmful transactions involving programmable money. It directly affects businesses, financial institutions, and individuals using or issuing programmable money within Idaho. The law aims to clarify legal boundaries and protections for this emerging financial tool while addressing potential risks.
This bill appropriates $980,000 from the Consumer Protection Fund to the Idaho Office of the Attorney General for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are designated for two specific programs: $910,000 for State Legal Services and $70,000 for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives. The legislation directs that these monies be used for personnel costs related to the Attorney General's duties under Idaho law. An emergency clause is included to allow immediate implementation of the funding for fiscal year 2026 upon passage.
H 687 requires Idaho state agencies to procure only artificial intelligence systems that prioritize factual accuracy and avoid promoting political or social agendas (including DEI concepts). It prohibits AI that alters historical facts for DEI outcomes, suppresses content based on race or sex, or embeds DEI-based constraints overriding objectivity. Contracts for such AI must include verification requirements for vendors, and agencies must conduct compliance reviews. The law specifically applies to "large language models" used by state government departments and institutions.
