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IdahoH 08152026 regular legislative sessionHouse

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the transportation support program.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Restores funds lost in 2010

The state makes ongoing payments to offset school bus money lost in 2010. Each year, the payment is based on a per‑unit amount from 2010, multiplied by current support units (excluding home‑based or virtual units) and adjusted for statewide changes in transportation reimbursements and enrollment. Special rules cover districts that later split and certain charter schools. The money must defray pupil transportation costs; any extra may be used at the operator’s discretion.

New rules for school bus reimbursements

School districts and state‑approved charter transportation programs can get state payback for set costs. Allowed costs include driver pay, insurance, maintenance, operation and depreciation of basic buses, required bus testing, employer retirement and Social Security shares, some contracts, and approved activity trips. The state pays 50% of most costs, and 85% for state training/fee assessments and for bus depreciation and maintenance. Payback is capped at 103% of the statewide average cost per mile or per student, whichever pays more. You can appeal for hardship runs, but any increase is limited to the share of runs that meet at least two of these tests: few riders per mile, mostly unpaved miles, or many miles on 5%+ slopes. Payments to public contractors count only if their buses meet federal bus‑testing rules; private contractors must be approved by the state. Only the basic bus price (plus essential safety and disability features) is reimbursable; optional add‑ons are not. Operators must keep records and file reports. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.

Help for home-based virtual schools

Home‑based public virtual schools can get state payback for certain costs. The state pays 85% for internet service between the student and provider (not phone), computer/electronic gear to send schoolwork, a toll‑free phone line for student contact, mileage for in‑person education visits at the state employee rate, and any actual pupil transportation costs that a district could claim. These reimbursements are not limited by the statewide cost‑per‑mile cap. Student riders equal average daily attendance. The school must meet an attendance divisor test with at least one average daily attendance divisor above the listed median.

Keeps school bus funding during emergencies

If an emergency caused at least a 10% drop in reimbursable transportation costs last year, the state bases payback on the year before that. During an emergency, reimbursable miles include regular trips to get students to school and trips to deliver food, schoolwork, or other services that keep education going. These rules protect bus funding and service when disasters hit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • R. Galaviz

    Democratic • House

  • Alison “Ali” Rabe

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 68 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 172 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/30/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:58 p.m. on March 26, 2026

    3/26/2026

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

    3/26/2026Senate

  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

    3/25/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/24/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1

    3/24/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/19/2026Senate

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

    3/18/2026Senate

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

    3/11/2026Senate

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

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. Rules Suspended: Ayes 69 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 68-1-1

    3/10/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/10/2026House

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

    3/9/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Education

    3/4/2026House

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

    3/3/2026House

Bill Text

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