This bill appropriates approximately $3.1 billion in state and federal funds to Idaho's Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2027, covering teacher salaries, student support services, facilities, and special education programs. It directs specific uses for the money, including professional development for educators, additional compensation for instructional staff, technology infrastructure purchases, and targeted funding for English language learners and students with disabilities. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements for how districts allocate funds and clarifies the original funding sources for these expenditures.
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✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $3.1 billion to fund public schools, including teacher salaries, student services, and facilities, directly strengthening state education budget.95% confidence
✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $3.1 billion for public schools, covering teacher salaries, student services, facilities, and special education programs.95% confidence
✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides funding for English language learners and students with disabilities, which includes immigrant students accessing educational services.75% confidence
✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allocates funding for technology infrastructure purchases in public schools, directly advancing technology access and digital infrastructure in education.85% confidence
This joint memorial from the Idaho Legislature asks the U.S. federal government to help states pay for the costs of educating students regardless of their immigration status. It requests that Congress create a new federal funding program to supplement existing education grants and conduct a study on the financial impact of educating these students. The bill does not change Idaho's laws or funding directly but serves as a formal request to the federal government for financial assistance. It is based on the legal requirement that states must provide public education to all students within their borders.
This bill revises Idaho's rules for school districts to impose supplemental maintenance and operation levies (additional taxes beyond regular funding). It requires school districts to hold elections for new supplemental levies, which can last 1-4 years (not exceeding 4 years), and allows districts with at least 7 consecutive years of levies ≥20% of their general funds to seek indefinite levies via voter approval. Charter districts must follow similar election rules, and the bill includes specific provisions for districts in revenue allocation areas. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.
This Idaho bill (H 740) revises how investment earnings from state land grant endowment funds are managed and distributed to support public schools. It requires annual distribution of excess earnings reserve funds to school district income funds or permanent endowments, with public school funding specifically tied to per-pupil attendance (using average daily attendance data). The bill also clarifies that these funds can be used for administrative costs related to managing endowment assets. It directly affects Idaho's public school districts by changing the mechanism for distributing education-related investment earnings. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.
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.
Idaho's H 636 revises how school districts access state funds for building and maintenance projects. It creates a dedicated School District Facilities Fund in the state treasury, using money from specific tax codes and legislative appropriations. The fund must be distributed by August 1 each year to school districts based on student attendance, with strict spending priorities: first paying existing school bonds and required levies, then allowing use for new construction, renovations, or maintenance. This reduces property tax levies for school districts since these funds replace some local tax revenue, directly affecting all Idaho school districts and their property taxpayers. The bill also includes temporary adjustments for fiscal years 2025-2026 related to bond levy equalization.
This bill establishes a "social access pass" program for homeschool students in grades 8-12 in Idaho, allowing them to attend public school social events like dances, cultural activities, and career fairs at one local public school within their attendance area. Homeschool students must apply voluntarily, provide proof of residency, and pay a $25 fee (to cover program costs), but they won’t be charged extra for individual events beyond what enrolled students pay. The pass does not create enrollment in the public school system, so it won’t affect school funding, attendance records, or parental educational choices. The program begins in the 2026-2027 school year.
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.
SCR 121 is a resolution requesting Idaho's Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop draft legislation modernizing the state's public school funding formula. It directs the Superintendent to create new funding legislation based on specific principles, including addressing student needs (like special education), supporting rural and virtual schools, ensuring funding stability, and aligning with Idaho's constitutional duty to fund public schools. The resolution requires the draft to include financial breakdowns for all school districts and charter schools, with a report due before the next legislative session. This bill does not change current funding but formally asks for a revised formula to replace the 1994 system.
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.
