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IdahoH 07122026 regular legislative sessionHouse

EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho State Seal of Excellence in Civics Program.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Idaho graduates can earn civics honors

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho graduates can earn the State Seal of Excellence in Civics. School districts and public charter schools choose whether to participate and must notify the state superintendent. Students must finish all required social studies courses with at least a 3.25 overall GPA in those courses. They also need at least 90% on the Idaho civics assessment and a civics inquiry or research project. Students must complete at least three of four civic participation pathways: 50 service hours, 15 civic engagement hours, two approved civic learning programs, or civics-related work experience. Service must be with a public agency, school, nonprofit, or charitable group. Joining the U.S. armed forces before graduation also meets the service requirement. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps counts as an approved program after at least two years of participation. Students also need good attendance and no major discipline violations, as defined by local school board policy. Participating schools must track qualifying students and identify them before graduation. Schools place the seal on diplomas, record it on transcripts, and allow recipients to wear red, white, and blue honor cords. The state superintendent designs and supplies the seals at no cost to students.

Idaho schools earn recognition for civics

Beginning July 1, 2026, schools qualify as Idaho schools of civics excellence when at least 75% of graduating seniors earn the seal. Participating districts and schools must report seal totals and overall participation in civic learning pathways by August 1 each year. The Idaho State Department of Education must provide scoring guides, activity examples, reporting forms, educator training, and an annual approved-program list. Schools may design local civics projects that match state standards. The department must publish an annual statewide civics excellence summary for lawmakers, the governor, and communities. The school designation provides recognition; the law specifies no payment to students or schools.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Jim Guthrie

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael Leman Veile

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/2/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 67 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 158 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/26/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 4:39 p.m. on March 25, 2026

    3/26/2026

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

    3/25/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/25/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/24/2026House

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

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/18/2026Senate

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

    3/17/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-0-3

    3/2/2026House

  14. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, March 2, 2026

    2/27/2026House

  15. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/26/2026House

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

    2/25/2026House

  17. Reported Printed and Referred to Education

    2/17/2026House

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

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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