This Idaho bill (H 608) revises the Public School Facilities Cooperative Funding Program, which provides state financial support to school districts for fixing unsafe school buildings. It requires school districts to apply to a new panel (comprising education and building safety officials) if they’ve failed to pass local tax votes for repairs, approved insufficient levies, or been identified by state safety inspectors as having unresolved hazards. The panel reviews applications for the most cost-effective solutions over 20 years and may mandate a local voter referendum to approve bond funding if the state covers costs. School districts with projects exceeding $5 million or approved via state intervention must also appoint a state supervisor to oversee construction.
HJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment in Idaho to remove language allowing the state legislature to require children to attend public schools between ages six and eighteen. It would add a new provision stating that "the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools shall not be infringed." If approved by voters, this change would directly affect all Idaho parents and students by altering the constitutional basis for education requirements. The amendment focuses on redefining parental education rights rather than creating new laws or regulations.
H 745 prohibits public employers in Idaho from using taxpayer funds to support government unions or their activities. It bans payroll deductions for union dues, restricts government funding of union events or communications, and defines "government unions" to include teacher associations and local education organizations. The law directly affects public employees (like teachers and first responders) and their unions, preventing public funds from subsidizing union operations, political advocacy, or membership drives. Exceptions only apply for critical emergency services by first responders.
This bill requires Idaho school districts and public charter schools to annually share clear information about harassment, intimidation, or bullying (as defined by Idaho law) with all staff, parents, and students, including that staff must intervene. It mandates ongoing professional development for school staff to prevent and address these issues, and requires school policies to include graduated consequences for offenders and procedures for mandatory reporting of incidents leading to student suspensions. Schools must also annually report bullying incidents to the state education department using a standardized format. These changes apply to all Idaho public schools and aim to standardize prevention, response, and reporting practices.
This non-binding Idaho Joint Memorial (HJM 11) urges Congress to fully fund the federal commitment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires 40% of the national average per-pupil cost for special education services. It highlights that federal funding currently covers only about 12% in Idaho, placing financial strain on schools and families. The memorial specifically calls for Congress to pass legislation that meets the 40% funding target through mandatory, sustained increases within a defined timeline. It also directs Idaho’s education department to annually report on how federal IDEA funding supports special education services in the state.
