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IdahoH 02512025 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2026.

Sponsored By: APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

APPROPRIATIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Funding keeps Idaho public schools running

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, Idaho provides about $1.669 billion for student support. This includes school operations, administrators, and children's programs, with $240.1478 million in federal funding. Central school services receive another $14.2376 million. Districts and public charter schools receive an estimated $23,472 per school support unit to spend at their discretion.

School staff get pay and training funding

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, Idaho provides about $1.359 billion for teacher programs. The law adds $6,359 to each funding cell on three specified career-ladder rungs for instructional and pupil-service staff pay. This is a funding formula, not a guaranteed $6,359 raise for each worker. Districts and charter schools must report their allocations to the state education department. Another $13.75 million supports staff training in student learning, mentoring, and teamwork, with state tracking of use and results.

Idaho funds public school facilities

Idaho provides $194.9821 million for public-school facilities from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. This includes $182.9787 million from the School Districts Facilities Fund and $12.0034 million from the Public School Income Fund. The money supports school facilities, not direct payments to families.

Online academy tuition capped at $75

Idaho provides $22.2324 million to the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. The academy must cap tuition at $75 per enrollment. It must also provide catch-up coursework and advanced opportunities, including courses that earn college credit, under state board rules. These required uses do not limit its other course offerings.

State police get toxicology lab funding

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law transfers $200,000 from the Public School Income Fund to Idaho State Police. The money increases toxicology testing capacity in its Forensic Services lab. It does not provide a direct household payment.

Schools receive employee health benefit funding

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, schools receive an estimated $21,902 per school support unit for employee benefits. The money helps cover health, vision, dental, and related insurance costs. Districts and public charter schools can use money above their actual costs at their discretion. This amount is not a payment or savings guarantee for each employee.

Catch-up coursework for students below standards

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, Idaho directs $4.715 million to catch-up coursework. It serves students who do not meet proficiency standards on Idaho's standards-based achievement tests. The state education department determines funding amounts. Districts must report how they use the money and how well it works by January 5, 2026.

English learners receive targeted school support

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, Idaho provides $4.82 million for English learner programs. Schools share $4.37 million based on their English learner populations, using state education department criteria. Another $450,000 funds competitive grants where English learners miss state interim targets or federal long-term goals. Grant cycles last three years, but continued support depends on future appropriations and schools meeting program goals. Program evaluation and reporting are due January 5, 2026.

Funding serves deaf and blind students

Idaho provides $16.2956 million for educational services for deaf and blind students from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The Public School Income Fund supplies $16.0584 million. The School for the Deaf and the Blind Endowment Fund supplies $237,200.

Schools get safety and prevention funding

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, up to $4.3249 million in available tax revenue supports school safety and substance-abuse prevention. Districts and public charter schools receive a $2,000 base payment plus a share based on prior-year average daily attendance. Schools must use the money for safety improvements, substance-abuse prevention, or both. Beginning July 1, 2025, another $80,000 goes to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs for prevention work with the state education department.

Schools get technology and digital materials

For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, Idaho provides $36.5 million for classroom technology, infrastructure, wireless networks, and learning systems. Districts and public charter schools must implement and operate their chosen learning management systems. Those systems must connect with student information systems and help administer, track, and document learning. Another $1.6 million lets schools choose digital content and curricula, subject to state purchase rules.

District payments depend on open enrollment

The state education department must withhold a district's November payment when the district does not follow state open-enrollment rules. The payment stays withheld until the district complies. This funding penalty applies to school districts, not directly to families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Elaine Price

    Republican • House

  • Janie Ward-Engelking

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 1

House vote • 2/20/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 65 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 12, 2025 Session Law Chapter 43 Effective: 07/01/2025

    3/13/2025

  2. Delivered to Governor at 8:10 a.m. on March 11, 2025

    3/11/2025

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/10/2025Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/10/2025Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/10/2025Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/6/2025House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 31-1-3

    3/5/2025Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    2/25/2025Senate

  10. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    2/24/2025Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Finance

    2/21/2025Senate

  12. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    2/21/2025Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 65-2-3

    2/20/2025House

  14. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day

    2/19/2025House

  15. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/18/2025House

  16. Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading

    2/17/2025House

  17. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    2/14/2025House

Bill Text

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