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IdahoH 09402026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Idaho Digital Learning Academy.

Sponsored By: WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Online courses fill gaps for Idaho students

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho Digital Learning Academy serves Idaho residents in grades 6–12 through accredited online courses. The board must prioritize credit recovery, dual credit, graduation-required courses, extra courses, and courses missing from small or rural districts. These courses fill teaching gaps rather than replace regular district or charter school courses or full programs. The Academy must develop policies for earning credit by showing mastery and linking high school courses to college credit.

Course fee limits and refunds for families

Beginning July 1, 2026, Academy fees for graduation-required courses cannot exceed $40; other course fees must be at least $100. The Academy board sets fees with State Board of Education approval, accounting for state reimbursement. Private schools and individual private students receive no state reimbursement and must pay the full course fee. When a student leaves within the withdrawal window, the payer gets the course fee back. The law does not specify how long that window lasts.

State course funding comes with student limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state provides $445 per qualifying Academy course enrollment, not a payment to families. Students must be Idaho residents enrolled in a district or public charter school that is not entirely virtual. Driver’s education is excluded. Courses serving only one district or charter school generally receive no state funding. Exceptions cover an unexpected teacher departure with Academy board approval, or failed documented recruitment when no qualified replacement is available. For a student taking a course that does not qualify, the district or charter school must pay the state-set fee. Each course counts separately after the student stays past the withdrawal deadline; summer courses count in the same fiscal year. The Department of Education distributes 80% of estimated annual funding by July 31 and the remainder by May 15. It checks actual enrollments before the May payment and can recover or withhold money to correct funding. The Legislature’s budget committee can adjust the $445 rate by the percentage of approved school-staff salary increases in any session.

Online academy faces spending and oversight rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Academy operates as a legislature-created statewide program, separate from state departments and local school districts. Its board must keep administrative staff costs at or below 30% of the Academy’s total budget. The board must follow applicable education rules, ensure accreditation, and hire an independent accounting firm for an annual financial audit. It must report to the Legislature in the 2027 session on courses, recommendations, and a statewide digital-learning plan. The board can hire or contract staff, largely at will, and has exemptions from certain state personnel and purchasing rules. It sets purchasing guidance, buys supplies and equipment, accepts gifts and grants, and manages funds disbursed by the Superintendent. It can contract for round-the-clock course delivery and provide services to public agencies through contracts with cost-covering charges.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Dave Lent

    Republican • Senate

  • Douglas T. Pickett

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 79 • No: 25

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 3

House vote • 3/25/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 48 • No: 22

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 319 Effective: 07/01/2026

    4/2/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 10:38 a.m. on April 2, 2026

    4/2/2026

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

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    4/1/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    4/1/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 31-3-1

    4/1/2026Senate

  9. Retained on calendar

    4/1/2026Senate

  10. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/30/2026Senate

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

    3/27/2026Senate

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

    3/26/2026Senate

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

    3/26/2026Senate

  14. Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required – PASSED - 48-22-0

    3/25/2026House

  15. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/25/2026House

  16. Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading

    3/24/2026House

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

    3/24/2026House

Bill Text

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