All Roll Calls
Yes: 33 • No: 2
IdahoS 13352026 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET
EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding contract requirements for state-supported medical and veterinary students.
Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
EDUCATION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Break the contract? Repay without interest
If you fail to meet the contract, you must repay the state's support for your education. Repayment starts within one year after you get a license, finish residency, or finish a fellowship. Payments follow an amortized schedule set by the board and must finish within eight years. No interest accrues on this debt. The board can pause payments for temporary hardship, like serious illness, parental leave, or military duty. The board can cancel repayment for permanent impossibility or extreme hardship, or if you are in a federal or U.S. armed forces service program with its own service requirement.
Idaho service contracts for med and vet students
Idaho residents accepted into state-funded medical or veterinary slots must sign a contract before enrollment. The contract requires four years of full-time practice in Idaho. Work must start within one year after you get your license, finish residency or subspecialty training, or finish a fellowship. Each year of residency in Idaho counts as a half-year toward the four years, up to four residency years (max two years credit). For veterinary residencies, most time must be mixed-practice agricultural-animal care to count. The rules apply to medical students starting fall 2023 and later, and veterinary students starting fall 2027 and later.
New fund and grants for Idaho physicians
The law creates the Human Medical Education Reimbursement Fund in the state treasury. It holds repayments, legislative appropriations, donations, and interest. The State Board of Education runs the fund and can use it for administration and enforcement. When money is available, the board may award incentive grants to licensed physicians who practice in Idaho and meet board rules. The board has authority to set policies and carry out these programs.
Vet students: 600 farm-animal hours yearly
Starting in 2027, veterinary students in state-funded slots must study and later practice mixed-practice agricultural-animal medicine. At least 600 hours each year of full-time clinical work must be on agricultural animals. Agricultural animals mean cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. The board reviews compliance every year.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Tammy Nichols
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 33 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 246 Effective: 03/31/2026
4/1/2026Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
3/30/2026SenateReturned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
3/27/2026SenateRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/26/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/25/2026SenateRead third time in full as amended – PASSED - 33-2-0
3/19/2026SenateRead second time as amended, filed for Third reading
3/17/2026SenateAmendments reported printed
3/16/2026SenatePlaced in the Committee of the Whole
3/13/2026SenateReferred to 14th Order for amendment
3/6/2026SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/4/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/3/2026SenateReported Printed; referred to Education
2/23/2026SenateIntroduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
2/20/2026Senate
Bill Text
Amendment
Bill Text
Engrossment 1
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