Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 846: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding student enrollment counts.

This bill updates Idaho's rules for counting student enrollment numbers, which directly affects school districts, public charter schools, and the state Board of Education. It establishes specific guidelines for calculating full-time enrollment, including limits on how many students can be counted based on their attendance patterns, such as restricting students with 11 or more consecutive unexcused absences from being counted on official enrollment dates. The law also sets clear rules for counting kindergarten students at half enrollment and summer or night school students at one-quarter enrollment, while requiring schools to conduct official enrollment counts on specific dates throughout the school year. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to standardize how student enrollment data is collected and reported across the state.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts student enrollment counts by excluding students with excessive unexcused absences, limiting funding eligibility and reducing educational access for affected students75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

passed both · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

HJM 19: EDUCATION – States findings of the Legislature, supports federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, and urges Congress to fully cooperate with these efforts.

This bill is a joint memorial from the Idaho Legislature expressing support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. It states that education is a state responsibility under the Tenth Amendment and argues that the Department has created burdensome regulations without adequate funding. The document urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with eliminating the Department and directs officials to send this message to federal leaders and Idaho's congressional delegation.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill seeks to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which would restrict federal education oversight and potentially limit educational programs and funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 906: APPROPRIATIONS – STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – COMMUNITY COLLEGES – Relates to the appropriation to the State Board of Education for community colleges for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates $1,368,700 in state funding to Idaho's four community colleges for fiscal year 2027, with specific amounts designated for personnel and operating expenses at each institution. The legislation also reduces the total appropriation by $245,500 from the previous year's funding levels across the same colleges. The funds are distributed through the State Board of Education's General Fund and become effective on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.368M in state funding to community colleges for FY2027, directly advancing education appropriations and public service funding.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces community college funding by $245,500 from previous year, cutting resources for education despite allocating some funds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 905: APPROPRIATIONS – OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – Relates to the appropriation to the Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates $4,998,400 to Idaho's Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027, funding administrative operations through a combination of general fund and federal grant money. It simultaneously reduces the office's general fund appropriation by $510,500 and cuts four full-time equivalent positions from the office's authorized staffing level. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and was signed into law by the Governor.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces general fund appropriation by $510,500 and cuts four full-time equivalent positions from the Office of the State Board of Education, defunding essential education administration.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces Office of State Board of Education funding by $510,500 and cuts four full-time equivalent positions, limiting administrative capacity for education oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1438: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY DIVISION – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for fiscal year 2027.

This bill reduces the state funding for Idaho's Digital Learning Academy by $13.5 million for fiscal year 2027 and adjusts related financial transfers between state funds. The legislation requires the academy to limit course offerings and deny new enrollments if necessary to maintain a positive cash balance, while prohibiting withdrawals from the Public Education Stabilization Fund for this program. Additionally, the bill mandates that the academy verify compliance with state nondiscrimination standards for diversity, equity, and inclusion courses and submit a compliance report by December 2026. The law also requires detailed reporting on course costs, enrollment data, and budget information to the Legislative Services Office by August 2026 to improve transparency in how state funds are used.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces state funding for Digital Learning Academy by $13.5M and limits course offerings, directly defunding an essential education program.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill cuts $13.5M in funding, limits course offerings, and restricts new enrollments to maintain cash balance, directly reducing educational access and resources.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill reduces funding for Idaho Digital Learning Academy, limits course offerings, and restricts new enrollments, weakening digital education access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1444: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DIVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORT – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces overall appropriations by nearly $10M, cuts transportation reimbursements, and lowers per-student funding for virtual schools, weakening education support funding.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces overall appropriations by nearly $10 million, cuts transportation reimbursements, and lowers per-student funding for virtual schools, directly limiting educational resources.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill reduces funding for virtual schools and cuts transportation reimbursements, limiting access to technology-based education options.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Funding Special Education

in committee · Idaho · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 1357: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding certain limitations on scholarships.

This bill establishes limits on the number of non-U.S. resident student athletes who can receive scholarships at public colleges and universities in Idaho. It requires that no more than 10% of all sports roster positions and no more than 50% of any single athletic team be held by international student athletes receiving financial aid. The legislation also mandates that scholarships awarded to Idaho residents be prioritized for student athletes and requires the state board of education to create rules for monitoring compliance and reporting data to the legislature annually. Existing scholarship agreements made before July 1, 2026, are protected from these new restrictions for up to four academic years.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts scholarship availability for international student athletes and prioritizes Idaho residents, limiting educational access and opportunities for non-resident students.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts scholarships for international student athletes, limiting access to educational benefits for non-U.S. residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Idaho · House Mar 3, 2026

H 808: MEDICAL MANDATES – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding medical mandates.

This bill establishes state-level authority over medical intervention mandates in Idaho, preventing local governments and schools from requiring or restricting access to medical procedures like vaccines. It defines key terms such as "medical intervention" and "school" to clarify the scope of protections, while repealing existing immunization-related statutes. The law creates a voluntary registry for tracking children's immunization status and allows parents to opt their children out of the system, with strict rules on who can access the data. Additionally, the bill authorizes state attorneys to seek court injunctions against any local policies that violate these provisions and to recover legal fees in enforcement cases.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts school authority over medical mandates and immunization requirements, limiting educational access and school autonomy in health-related policies.75% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts medical intervention mandates and repeals immunization statutes, limiting public health programs and vaccine access.90% confidence

Track

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 831: ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to prohibit certain in-person instruction in schools on election day.

This bill amends Idaho school law to prohibit in-person student instruction on election days, ensuring schools do not operate as polling places unless a specific agreement is made between the county clerk and school district. It directly affects school districts, students, and election officials by restricting classroom activities during election periods while allowing exceptions for activities that do not require students to be inside buildings used for voting. The law permits professional development, training, and extracurricular activities on election days as long as they do not involve students being present in designated polling locations, and it grants the state board of education authority to waive instructional hour requirements when election-related closures are necessary.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts in-person instruction on election days, limiting normal school operations and educational activities during those periods.75% confidence

Tags Elections

passed · Idaho · House Mar 4, 2026

H 745: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the prohibition of taxpayer funding of government unions.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits taxpayer funding of government unions, restricting public spending on union activities and defunding union operations through budget restrictions.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits taxpayer funding for teacher unions and education organizations, directly restricting union financial support in schools.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits taxpayer funding for government unions, bans payroll deductions for dues, and restricts union activities - directly limits collective bargaining support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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