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Hello {{CFirstName}},

The 2025 legislative session has officially begun, and discussion has already been active regarding school vouchers, after Governor Little committed $50 million of annual, ongoing expenses to create such a program. While he emphasized the legislation should be “fair, responsible, accountable, and transparent”, we have reason to believe the pro-voucher groups will not adapt their legislation accordingly. In addition, the Governor recommended a 5% Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) increase, which would apply to all school staff including teachers. However, the CEC committee voted 7-3 on Thursday to adopt $1.55 an hour, less for employees make more than $64,480. It is unclear how this would work for school staff, including teachers, and ISBA will continue to monitor these proposals.

The House Education Committee met for the first time on Tuesday, January 7. This was an organizational meeting, and no official business took place. The Committee will likely begin meeting Monday through Thursday (Fridays only if necessary) starting next week. The Senate Education Committee did not meet this week. We anticipate they will begin meeting Monday through Thursday in the afternoons sometime next week.

Here's what we are tracking so far:

It's been a quiet week for bill introductions, but we did see the first voucher bill of the session.

• HB1 was introduced by Representative Hostetler as a personal bill. Each legislator has the opportunity to introduce a personal bill. This is usually a courtesy introduction, and the bills usually don't gain traction. However, we are watching the conversation around this bill, because we are worried the voucher proponents will use this as an opportunity to say their bill is the better option. We do fear that many will point to this as a “scary” version to try and create a soft landing for the anticipated voucher tax credit that will soon surface in a committee. 
• HB5: The State Board of Education introduced its revised version of the Behavioral Threat Assessment Model or BTAM, for short. The legislation directs the Idaho School Safety & Security team to create a model of threat assessment for schools to use as a consistent process to identify students whose behavior elicits concern and evaluate their risk to the school. It will also provide intervention strategies. If schools use the model and supports outlined in the statute, they are provided with immunity for liability. ISBA attorneys weighed in heavily on the language over the interim.  

Here's What You Need to Know 

• The House Education Committee meets Monday - Thursday (Friday's if necessary) at 9 a.m. in EW41. 
• The Senate Education Committee meets Monday - Thursday at 3 p.m. in WW55.

ISBA Bill Tracker

Voucher Updates:

Lobby Day - January 20

Join public school supporters from across Idaho on January 20, 2025 to advocate for public funds funding public schools. 

Details: 

Date: January 20, 2025 (MLK Day) 

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location: 700 W Jefferson St. Boise, ID 83702

Cost: FREE 

School Voucher Opposition Toolkit

Take a stand for public schools.

ISBA is dedicated to equipping members and public education supporters with resources to push back against school voucher rhetoric.

The toolkit includes:

• Fact Sheets
• Messaging Tips
• Myth vs. Fact Sheet
• Social Media Graphics
•  Voucher Lobby Day Information

In the News

You can find committee agendas, reading calendars, legislator information, and more by visiting the Idaho State Legislature website.

You can find live video coverage and footage of the 2025 Legislative Session by visiting the Idaho Public Television - Idaho in Session site.

To view editions of ISBA's 2025 Capitol Notes, click here.

Who is representing ISBA at the Capitol?

199 N. Capitol Blvd.

Suite 503

Boise, ID 83702

(866) 799-4722