IdahoH 06082026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Public School Facilities Cooperative Funding Program.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

How districts apply and projects run

Starting June 1, 2025, districts with unsafe facilities can apply if voters rejected needed levies in the last two years, the state files because hazards were not fixed, or approved levies still fall short. Applications must list the hazards, a fix plan, cost estimates, available money, the district’s market value, and all bond and levy revenues. A three‑member state panel reviews projects using a 20‑year outlook and can approve, change, or reject plans. When needed, it can spend up to $150,000 per application to get more information and must give written notice within 90 days; if approved, these planning costs are added to the project. The law creates a dedicated state fund for this program; money is invested and kept for school facility fixes. All construction follows normal state permits and inspections, the state fire marshal leads fire‑safety during the fix, appeals go to the Idaho Building Code Board, and after a certificate of occupancy, responsibility returns to the local district. The act is in force and applies retroactively to June 1, 2025.

State funds unsafe school fixes, districts repay

When the state panel approves a plan to fix an unsafe school, the state pays the full project cost up front, minus any district funds. The district’s repayable share is capped by the old bond‑equalization formula for that year. If the district’s index is under 1.00, the share is discounted by that gap, and if the index is 1.50 or less, the discount is at least 10% of simple interest. Simple interest applies at the state treasurer’s average idle‑fund rate, with the first year prorated. Repayment can run up to 20 years. The Department of Education sets the annual payment and may adjust it each year, but it cannot go below the first year’s amount; if a recalculation would collect too much, the department certifies only what is needed. The district must send the annual payment by September 15; missed payments extend the term by the number of missed years when the facilities distribution was made. Within 60 days after a certificate of occupancy, the district must report savings; verified savings are returned within 30 days and reduce the unpaid balance. If approved funds are not enough to finish, the panel may ask the Legislature for more money.

Bond vote and state supervision rules

In some cases, the local board must place a bond or plant‑facility levy on the next election ballot for the full panel‑approved project cost. If voters reject it, the state pays the district under the program. After these triggers, or for projects over $5,000,000, the superintendent must appoint a district supervisor within 35 days to oversee the work until it is done and report to the panel.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Kyle Harris
Republican • House
Douglas T. Pickett
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 101 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2026