PRIA Logo™
IdahoH 07612026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL – Amends and repeals existing law to provide for the consolidation of the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

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

8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.

More computer science in Idaho schools

The Workforce Development Council, State Board of Education, and State Department of Education run a statewide K–12 computer science program. They keep CS standards, offer statewide and online teacher training, award grants for teacher incentives or endorsements, and host an online resource library. They build industry partnerships and report to the Legislature each year. The Council also coordinates and promotes STEM training across education, industry, and government through June 30, 2036. An older STEM coordination statute is repealed as these duties move to the Council.

No credit for STEM Center gifts

Donations to the Idaho STEM Action Center no longer qualify for Idaho’s 50% charitable contribution credit. For example, a $100 gift no longer earns a $50 state tax credit.

STEM projects need 50% match

Beginning July 1, 2026, contributors to Council‑approved STEM special projects must fund at least 50% of the project. In‑kind items like materials, staff, space, or services can count. This rule runs through June 30, 2036 and applies only to Council‑approved projects.

New training tax on employers

Beginning July 1, 2026, covered employers pay a new training tax equal to 3% of the taxable wage rate they have in effect. Deficit-rated employers in rate class six are excluded. You pay it when you pay state unemployment contributions, and the Department of Labor collects it. You cannot deduct it from workers’ wages, and it does not affect your experience rating. Late payments first cover penalties and interest, and the director may refund taxes collected in error.

STEM funding moves to workforce fund

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Workforce Development Training Fund can pay for STEM education and skills training. The fund can accept private gifts and money from other public agencies. The state moves all money in the STEM Education Fund into this fund by July 31, 2026, and the training fund pays any old STEM fund bills. The Council must approve program spending, and the executive director pays approved costs only when the fund balance is positive. The separate STEM Education Fund statute is repealed.

Most changes start July 1, 2026

An emergency clause makes key parts of this law effective on July 1, 2026. Sections named in the act take effect on that date. This includes the new council duties, training fund rules, and employer training tax.

State STEM school label ended

The state ends the official STEM school designation program. Schools and districts can no longer get that label. Families and schools that used or sought the label may lose benefits tied to it.

STEM Center staff become classified

Employees of the Idaho STEM Action Center become classified state employees. They now follow the state’s classified personnel rules. This can change hiring, firing, and workplace procedures for those workers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Dave Lent

    Republican • Senate

  • Josh Tanner

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 65 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 184 Effective: 07/01/2026 SECTION 1-5 & 7-10; 10/01/2026 SECTION 6

    3/30/2026

  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

    3/10/2026Senate

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

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 65-0-5

    3/9/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/9/2026House

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

    3/6/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Education

    2/26/2026House

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

    2/25/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation