S 1288 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed Apr 1, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2026 · House Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

2312
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
Feb 26, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican30
17 Yea 12 Nay 1
56% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 49-21-0AYES – Barbieri, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, WheelerNAYS – Alfie
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time in full – PASSED - 22-12-1AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lakey, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Adams, Carlson, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Shippy, Toews, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – BjerkeFloor Sponsor - BlaylockTitle apvd - to House
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Education
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.