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IdahoH 03972025 regular legislative sessionHouse

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding civics instruction.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Idaho students get broader civics lessons

Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho elementary and secondary schools must expand citizenship lessons. Students learn about citizens’ roles in a constitutional republic, making laws, electing officials, voting, and participating in government. Lessons also cover respect for and obedience to laws validly enacted by the Idaho Legislature and Congress.

New civics requirements for Idaho students

Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho’s education department must develop a state-approved civics test aligned with Idaho government standards. Test content is reviewed alongside those standards. Starting in 2026–27, secondary students meet civics requirements through the test and a U.S. government and history course, or an associated college-credit course or exam. Students can take the test after enrolling in grade 9 and retake it as often as needed. Districts and public charter schools must record passing results on transcripts. Special education students’ individualized education plans govern whether the requirement applies and what accommodations they receive. Students graduating before January 1, 2029, are exempt from the new requirements if they met the prior requirement before 2026–27.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Cindy J. Carlson

    Republican • Senate

  • Tony Wisniewski

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 1

House vote • 3/17/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 64 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on April 3, 2025 Session Law Chapter 279 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 - 32-1-2

    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

    3/18/2025Senate

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

    3/18/2025Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 64-3-3

    3/17/2025House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/14/2025House

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

    3/13/2025House

  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

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