All Roll Calls
Yes: 100 • No: 0
IdahoH 06242026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding virtual public education in Idaho.
Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
EDUCATION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clear, accountable contracts for charter providers
Beginning July 1, 2026, education providers must define in contracts the services they deliver, the cost of each service, and how costs are calculated. Items bought with public funds stay school property. Boards must be able to end a contract for poor performance after notice and a chance to fix it. Charter holders must use independent legal counsel and keep facility and management contracts separate. If a provider agrees to take on a virtual school’s financial risk, it must share audited financial statements; virtual school boards must approve provider contracts and give authorizers student residency proof when asked.
Help for at-home learning, with limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, schools can set aside state money as supplemental learning funds for students learning outside class. The money can buy computers, internet, books, test fees, and approved therapies. Schools must place the orders; they do not hand cash to parents. Districts, charters, virtual schools, and their contractors cannot pay state funds directly to parents.
All changes start July 1, 2026
The law takes effect July 1, 2026. All changes above apply starting that date.
Certified teachers and school control online
Beginning July 1, 2026, anyone teaching in a virtual program must hold an Idaho teaching certificate. Districts and virtual charter schools keep the power to hire, supervise, and evaluate their virtual teachers. This keeps instructional quality and staffing under school control.
Stronger, independent charter school boards
Beginning July 1, 2026, authorizers may not contract with charter schools they approve. For‑profit providers cannot sit on charter boards; nonprofit provider reps are limited to one‑third of seats and cannot be president or treasurer. Charters and their providers must have conflict‑of‑interest policies for dual employees. Charter holders must disclose any conflicts with affiliated providers each year.
Tighter rules for district virtual programs
Beginning July 1, 2026, districts that run virtual programs must keep Idaho residency proof for every student. District boards must approve all virtual-learning contracts before they are signed. Districts must give the State Board required virtual program data. All curriculum used online must meet state content standards, with records to show it. Districts and their providers must have conflict-of-interest policies for dual employees, and provider contracts must list services and costs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Dave Lent
Republican • Senate
Douglas T. Pickett
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 32 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 68 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 12 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/11/2026Delivered to Governor at 2:13 p.m. on March 9, 2026
3/9/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/9/2026SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/6/2026SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/6/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/5/2026HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/5/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 32-0-3
3/5/2026SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
2/20/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
2/19/2026SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Education
2/16/2026SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/16/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 68-0-2
2/13/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/12/2026HouseReported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
2/11/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
2/10/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Related Bills
S 1362, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2027.
S 1444, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DIVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORT – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1336, EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding civics education.
S 1454, APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH SAFETY AND PERMANENCY, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1438, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY DIVISION – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for fiscal year 2027.
S 1446, APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare and the Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027.