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IdahoH 08312026 regular legislative sessionHouse

ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to prohibit certain in-person instruction in schools on election day.

Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

ELECTIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

No in-person school on election days

Beginning January 1, 2028, public schools do not hold in-person classes on any Idaho election day set by state law. Districts may hold professional development, teacher training, extracurriculars, or sports, but they cannot require or encourage students to be inside a polling place. In-person classes are allowed only if the county clerk and the district agree that student-occupied buildings will not be used as polling places. Schools may encourage eligible students to vote or serve as poll workers.

Waivers for school hours after disasters or elections

Beginning January 1, 2028, the State Board of Education can waive a district’s minimum instructional hours when districtwide closures are needed for unsafe natural events or for elections. A county or state disaster declaration must cover at least one county in the district. Waiver requests must explain how the district will try to make up time, which grades are affected, and how many hours they seek to waive. This helps districts avoid penalties but can reduce in-person class time for students.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Jim Guthrie

    Republican • Senate

  • Britt Raybould

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 84 • No: 18

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 30 • No: 4

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 54 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 31, 2026 Session Law Chapter 244 Effective: 01/01/2028

    4/1/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:31 p.m. on March 30, 2026

    3/30/2026

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

    3/30/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/30/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/30/2026Senate

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

    3/27/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/26/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 30-4-1

    3/26/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/24/2026Senate

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

    3/23/2026Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs

    3/13/2026Senate

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

    3/13/2026Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 54-14-2

    3/12/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/11/2026House

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

    3/10/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs

    3/6/2026House

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

    3/5/2026House

Bill Text

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