All Roll Calls
Yes: 61 • No: 39
IdahoH 08492026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding certain placement and movement on the career ladder.
Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
EDUCATION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Extra pay for advanced degrees or credits
If you hold a Professional or Advanced endorsement, you can get extra pay for added education. You get $3,500 each year if a master’s degree is on file. You get $2,000 each year if a bachelor’s plus 24 or more credits is on file. Credits and degrees must be transcripted with the state, from approved or accredited programs, and in a relevant subject area. The two amounts do not stack. Initial occupational specialist certificate holders are treated as bachelor’s‑prepared; later credits can count toward this pay.
More pay and placement for CTE teachers
CTE teachers with an Occupational Specialist certificate get $3,000 each year as part of salary. When you are new to or returning to Idaho public schools, closely related industry experience starts you higher: 2–3 years counts as one year, 4–5 as two, 6–7 as three, and 8+ as four. If you were placed on the Professional rung using that experience, you may move one cell based on your prior years and whether you met the Professional rules. If you do not meet the rules in a year, your pay stays at last year’s level.
Annual raises tied to statewide adjustment
Beginning July 1, 2025, educator pay cells go up by the same salary‑based adjustment used for administrative and classified staff. The law links teacher pay cells to that statewide adjustment. Exact dollar amounts vary by year.
Faster placement for experienced new hires
If you are a new hire with prior certificated work, your district can place you laterally. Four years of verified certificated experience plus proof you met the rung rules in two of those years can place you as if you had four years. Five or more years plus proof you met the rules in three of the last five years (one in year four or five) can place you at that level. The district must document your prior performance. The law also requires districts to combine certificated, CTE industry, and pupil‑service industry experience when setting your starting cell.
How to earn Idaho teaching endorsements
Starting July 1, 2026, the law sets clear paths to Idaho’s Professional and Advanced endorsements. For the Professional endorsement, you generally need three years with a certificate, to meet the rung rules in two of the last three years, a district recommendation, and an annual learning plan. For the Advanced endorsement, you generally need eight years with a renewable certificate, to meet the advanced rules in four of the last five years (or years three to five), leadership in three of the last five years, a district recommendation, a learning plan, and a self‑evaluation. Time in accredited private schools, interstate‑compact states, and industry work for CTE and pupil service staff can count toward experience as described. Exceptional cases may submit extra evidence.
Career ladder starting spots and moves
New Idaho certificated staff start in the first Residency cell. They move up one cell each year for up to three years, then stay there until they earn a Professional endorsement. In the first year with a Professional endorsement, staff start in the first Professional cell. On the Professional rung, you move one cell after four years if you met the rung rules in three of the last four years, or after three of the last five years with one in year four or five. If you do not meet the rules, your pay stays at last year’s level. On the Advanced rung, first‑year holders start in the first cell and then move one cell only when they met the Advanced criteria the prior year; otherwise pay stays at last year’s level.
Industry experience helps pupil service placement
If you are certificated pupil service staff with closely related industry experience and are new or returning to Idaho, you start higher: 2–3 years counts as one year, 4–5 as two, 6–7 as three, and 8+ as four. Existing Residency‑rung staff only move up if this gives a higher rung. If you were placed on the Professional rung using that experience, you may move one cell based on your prior years and whether you met the Professional rules. If you do not meet the rules in a year, your pay stays at last year’s level.
Stronger evaluation checks, data, and mentoring
Districts must send the state up to five years of evaluation and student‑outcome data each year. The state uses it to decide if staff move up a pay rung. Individual ratings stay in personnel files and are not public. Starting July 1, 2026, endorsed staff get annual evaluations in at least two framework domains; others are evaluated in all domains. The State Board runs a yearly independent check of administrator evaluations and requires ongoing evaluator training. New certificated staff get mentoring in their first three years through their learning plan.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Dygert & Galaviz
Affiliation unavailable
Dave Lent
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 18 • No: 14
House vote • 3/10/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 25
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 173 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/30/2026Delivered to Governor at 12:58 p.m. on March 26, 2026
3/26/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/26/2026SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/25/2026SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/25/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/25/2026HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/24/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 18-14-3
3/24/2026SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/19/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/18/2026SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Education
3/11/2026SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/11/2026SenateRules Suspended: Ayes 64 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 6, read in full as required – PASSED - 43-25-2 Floor Sponsors - Dygert & Galaviz
3/10/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/10/2026HouseReported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
3/9/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
3/9/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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