All Roll Calls
Yes: 127 • No: 44
IdahoH 03682025 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
MEDICAL EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding medical education programs supported by Idaho state funds.
Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
MEDICAL EDUCATION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Medical students must serve or repay
Starting with fall 2023 entrants, Idaho residents taking covered state-funded medical slots must sign a contract before enrollment. They must practice full-time in Idaho for four years, starting within one year after licensure, residency, subspecialty residency, or a qualifying fellowship. Each year of Idaho residency training earns six months of service credit, for up to four training years. Students who do not comply must repay the state's support without interest. Repayment starts within one year after the applicable licensing or training milestone and follows a payment schedule ending within eight years. Temporary medical hardship, personal or parental leave, or active military duty can pause repayment. Waivers are available for death, inability to obtain a license, or qualifying federal or armed-forces service with its own service requirement. Reimbursements go into a new state fund that also accepts appropriations, donations, and interest. The fund pays administration and enforcement costs and incentive grants to licensed physicians practicing in Idaho who meet board policies.
More graduate students qualify for resident tuition
The law adds two paths toward resident tuition for graduate and professional students. Idaho college graduates qualify at Idaho public institutions after living in Idaho during their final 12 undergraduate months. Their bachelor's degree must meet admission standards, and they must enroll within 36 months after earning it. Qualifying Idaho colleges include public schools, registered private schools, and nonprofit private schools exempt from registration. Separately, full-time graduate or professional students at Idaho institutions can establish Idaho domicile after 12 months of Idaho residence. This second path does not require living in Idaho mainly for reasons other than education.
Residency limits aid for professional students
Applicants must meet Idaho's resident-student definition to receive beneficiary status in covered special graduate or professional education programs. The covered programs include Idaho medical, dental, and veterinary medicine education programs. Applicants who do not qualify as resident students cannot receive this program support.
Idaho can cut regional medical school slots
Beginning in 2027–2028, Idaho can reduce state-funded incoming slots reserved for Idaho students in the regional WWAMI medical program. The law allows, but does not require, a reduction of at least 10 slots. Any reduction must follow the law's statewide medical education planning requirements. A working group must deliver that plan to the governor and legislature by January 2, 2026. The plan must address physician shortages, program quality, use of state funds, Idaho training placements, and coordination among partners.
More funded medical slots for Idaho students
Beginning in 2026–2027, Idaho adds state-funded medical education slots outside the WWAMI program for Idaho students. Each incoming class grows by 10 slots per year until it reaches 30 students. For all but 20 state-funded non-WWAMI students per incoming class, all coursework and most clinical placements must be in Idaho.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Dave Lent
Republican • Senate
Dustin Manwaring
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/31/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 55 • No: 15
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 8
House vote • 3/13/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 46 • No: 21
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2025 Session Law Chapter 257 Effective: 04/02/2025
4/3/2025Delivered to Governor at 3:29 p.m. on April 1, 2025
4/2/2025Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
4/1/2025SenateSigned by President; returned to House
4/1/2025SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
4/1/2025SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/31/2025HouseRead third time in full as amended in Senate – PASSED - 55-15-0
3/31/2025HouseRead second time as amended in Senate; Filed for Third Reading
3/28/2025HouseRead first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
3/27/2025HouseReported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
3/27/2025HouseBills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
3/27/2025HouseReturned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
3/27/2025HouseHouse Concurred in Senate Amendments
3/27/2025HouseReturned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
3/27/2025HouseRead third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 26-8-1
3/26/2025SenateRead second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third Reading
3/24/2025SenateRead first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
3/21/2025SenateAmendments reported printed
3/21/2025SenateReported out as amended; filed for first reading
3/21/2025SenateAmendments ordered printed
3/21/2025SenatePlaced in the Committee of the Whole
3/21/2025SenateReported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
3/21/2025SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Education
3/14/2025SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/14/2025SenateRules Suspended: Ayes 62 Nays 4 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 46-21-3
3/13/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment
Bill Text
Engrossment 1
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