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IdahoH 08832026 regular legislative sessionHouse

EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for school district and public charter school earned autonomy regarding spending.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

High-performing charter schools get spending freedom

Beginning July 1, 2026, qualifying non-virtual public charter schools can spend state dollars as they decide, including salary funds. A school must meet the charter performance and financial standards set in state law. No charter or performance certificate change is needed to join. Participating schools are excused from state reports that are not federally required or needed for school finance, with no funding loss. Flexibility continues each year, but the state can revoke it for audit problems, two years of missed academic standards, or if the charter is revoked, not renewed, or renewed with conditions. In 2029, the State Board reports how many charter schools joined and changes in ISAT growth or proficiency.

High-performing districts get spending freedom

Beginning July 1, 2026, high-performing Idaho school districts can spend state dollars as they decide, including salary funds. A district qualifies if it is in the top 20% on ISAT or at least 15 points above the state in both ELA and math. It must also have 75% of K–3 students proficient on the spring reading test or cut the share below basic by 15 points in a year. It must also be 3 points above the state graduation rate or 5 points above on college and career readiness, and have 3 straight clean annual audits with no material weaknesses or going-concern notes. Participating districts are excused from certain state reports, with no funding loss. Flexibility continues each year, but the state can revoke it for audit problems or two years of missed academic marks. In 2029, the State Board reports how many joined, ISAT growth or proficiency changes, and whether any collected a levy, with required disclosures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Lori Den Hartog

    Republican • Senate

  • Douglas T. Pickett

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 60 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 309 Effective: 07/01/2026

    4/2/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:50 p.m. on April 1, 2026

    4/1/2026

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

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/31/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026Senate

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

    3/31/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/31/2026House

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

    3/30/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/25/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026Senate

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

    3/19/2026Senate

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

    3/19/2026Senate

  13. Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 60-7-3

    3/18/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/18/2026House

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

    3/17/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Education

    3/12/2026House

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

    3/12/2026House

Bill Text

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