PRIA Logo™
IdahoH 03962025 regular legislative sessionHouse

EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding transportation funding for public schools.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Legal protection for drivers helping students

Beginning July 1, 2025, school bus drivers receive civil and criminal liability protection for reasonable emergency aid to riders. The driver must reasonably believe the rider faces immediate danger of harm or injury. The driver must also act reasonably and within the scope of the job.

More safety checks for student vehicles

Beginning July 1, 2025, authorized student vehicles face applicable construction standards and inspections before first use and at least every 12 months. Qualified mechanics must also inspect them at least every 60 days during the school year; drivers must document daily pre-trip checks. Unsafe vehicles stay out of service until repaired and certified fit by the district. Required supplies include a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, body fluid cleanup kit, spare fuses, and emergency reflectors. Vehicles must display the district's or contractor's name and follow the manufacturer's passenger, weight, and loading limits.

Schools regain $7.5 million for transportation

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law removes a $7.5 million reduction in state payments for eligible school transportation costs. This restores funding for school districts and public charter schools. The money supports school transportation programs, not direct payments to families.

State transportation aid reaches charter schools

Beginning July 1, 2025, transportation aid covers state-authorized charter school programs as well as district programs. Contracted service qualifies when its costs do not exceed school bus costs; its state share matches the statewide district-run average. Existing caps remain: 103% of statewide average costs per mile or per student rider, whichever favors the operator. Hardship appeals can justify a higher limit for qualifying routes. Hardship tests cover riders per mile below 50% of the statewide average, less than half of miles paved, or over 10% of miles on slopes of at least 5%.

Virtual students excluded from extra transportation funding

Beginning July 1, 2025, one supplemental transportation funding formula excludes students educated mainly at home or virtually. Their current-year support units—the school funding measure—do not count toward that payment. This narrows the funding calculation for affected operations; it does not end separate virtual-school reimbursements.

Broader rules for student transportation drivers

Beginning July 1, 2025, drivers of authorized student vehicles count as school bus drivers under Idaho's school transportation law. They must meet state education department qualifications, including a minimum age of 18 and federal physical exam standards. Drivers need a valid license suited to the vehicle and all required endorsements. This provision no longer expressly requires a commercial driver's license. An insulin-dependent diabetes waiver is required when applicable.

More vehicle options for student trips

Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho allows more legally defined vehicles for student trips, including coaches, activity buses, cars, and trucks. District or common-carrier vehicles must serve pupils exclusively; contractor vehicles must serve them regularly. These alternatives are allowed when school buses cannot reasonably provide service, but routine home-to-school trips are generally barred. Exceptions cover preschoolers, children with special needs, homeless or foster children, and students whom buses cannot reach. Exceptions also cover alternative-school placements, work programs, and vocational training; trips extending classroom instruction are allowed when buses are impractical.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Codi Galloway

    Republican • Senate

  • Dan Garner

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 95 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 62 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on April 3, 2025 Session Law Chapter 278 Effective: 07/01/2025

    4/4/2025

  2. Delivered to Governor at 4:20 p.m. on April 2, 2025

    4/3/2025

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

    4/2/2025Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    4/2/2025Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    4/2/2025Senate

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

    4/1/2025House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    4/1/2025House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 33-0-2

    4/1/2025Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/26/2025Senate

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

    3/25/2025Senate

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

    3/19/2025Senate

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

    3/19/2025Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 62-6-2

    3/18/2025House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/17/2025House

  15. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    3/14/2025House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Education

    3/12/2025House

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

    3/11/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation