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 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.
This Idaho bill (S 1260) revises state laws governing immigration enforcement. It removes outdated provisions about illegal entry, clarifies definitions (like "illegal alien" and "dangerous crime"), and changes penalties: first illegal entry becomes a misdemeanor, repeat offenses a felony. The law requires police to enforce these rules only when someone is detained for unrelated crimes, and adds specific defenses (e.g., having federal permission to stay, asylum status, or DACA approval between 2012-2021). It takes effect July 1, 2026.
This Idaho bill removes the requirement for verifying immigration status when applying for crime victims compensation. It amends state law (Section 67-7903) to explicitly exempt this program from verification rules, directly affecting crime victims seeking state-funded financial assistance. Under the change, applicants no longer need to prove "lawful presence" to access compensation under Title 72, Chapter 10. This policy change applies specifically to victims of crime who qualify for state compensation programs.
