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Hello {{CFirstName}},

The fourth week of the 2025 Legislative Session has wrapped up. The bill introduction deadline is quickly approaching which means we saw quite a few new bills introduced this week. The House of Representatives updated their voucher bill to include what they consider an accountability piece and bills were introduced to amend the Idaho Constitution, require sudden cardiac arrest training, require a school policy on device-free learning and more. We are still steadily fighting the school privatization push and ask that you contact your legislators and ask them to vote NO on any bill that pushes public funds to private institutions. 

Read below to learn more about the most important bills we saw introduced this week and how you can have a voice in the legislative process. 

Let your voice be heard! Contact your legislators today and urge them to vote NO on any pro-voucher legislation. Our bill tracking system assists you in easily sending your legislator an email. All you have to do is include your name and address and the system does the rest. Click the button below to send an email today. 

A New Voucher Bill was Introduced on Thursday. What Changed?

HB093

HB93 makes some changes to its predecessor, HB39. Here's what changed:

• The bill defines “nonpublic schools” broadly, allowing unaccredited entities to receive public funds.
• It requires a "nonpublic school" to ensure instruction is provided by an accredited school OR document in a portfolio of evidence that shows student growth. 
• It introduces a parent satisfaction survey, a weak attempt at oversight that does nothing to ensure academic outcomes. The survey is only required to include the following items: 
  • Quality of school leadership,
  • School safety,
  • Student engagement,
  • Quality of academic instruction, and
  • Quality of learning outcomes.
• The bill would also allow people taking an upfront payment to then claim an additional tax credit while filing their taxes.

Who to contact: House of Representatives 

Additional Legislation Introduced This Week 

HJR001 would amend Section 9 of Article IX of the Idaho Constitution to change the compulsory public school attendance provision to allow parents to educate their children outside of the public school system without government oversight. Removing this section would align Idaho's Constitution with current Idaho laws that allow for homeschooling families to educate their children how they see fit. This is likely to have far reaching consequences for compulsory attendance, given that Average Daily Attendance is what drives a district's budget. The ISBA Government Affairs Committee opposed this legislation.

HB060 would require school districts to provide awareness and prevention training regarding sudden cardiac arrest in student athletes to parents and coaches. Training can be provided by Simon's Heart and made available through the National Federation of State High School Associations, or the school district can provide the training through a comparable provider that is approved by the State Department of Education. School districts would be required to make use of available resources and/or funds to provide this training. The National Federation of State High School Associations offers Simon's Heart training for free. The ISBA Government Affairs Committee did not take a position on this legislation.

HB074 was introduced in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Tuesday. This bill would take the Governor's suggested $50 million set aside for public education funding and put it into the bond levy equalization fund to provide property tax relief. If this bill passes along with a tax credit bill, it would be a double hit to public school systems as it would mean no new money for operations, even for the most basic funding. The ISBA Government Affairs Committee opposed this legislation.

HB075 creates a fund to support public school facilities. Moneys in the fund would be distributed as a need-based grant to school districts for the purpose of financing construction, remodel, and maintenance. The application would need to include a detailed plan for the project, including a story of the current condition, projected costs and related bids, and any attempts to address the facility project. Priority is given to rural school districts and is administered with by Office of the State Board of Education in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Division of Public Works. It moves one-time funds into the fund, with the hopes of $25 million ongoing, which is consistent with the Governor’s Request. However, it includes a provision that shifts funds away from the public charter school credit enhancement program, which must be removed before the bill can go forward. We’re working to remove that. However, Speaker Moyle has the bill “held at the desk”, likely because it’s competing against HB 74, which calls for the new money for public schools to go into tax relief. Please encourage your legislator to show support for rural school facilities, as shifting these funds to tax relief provides no meaningful support to rural districts struggling with capital projects.

SB1032 would require all school districts in the state of Idaho to develop a policy related to distraction free learning by December 31, 2025. The ISBA Government Affairs Committee remains neutral on this legislation.

SB1045: At the 2024 Convention, the Midvale School District sought a resolution to pilot a relaxed process for hiring trustees’ spouses as teachers in small districts. However, the resolution was amended on the floor to lift the cap of student enrollment and failed on the floor of the business session. The Midvale School District sought support from their legislature and Senator Brandon Shippy introduced legislation to ease limitations on small districts when it comes to posting positions for 60 days before the spouse can be rehired and on requiring that the spouse only be employed on a Category 1 contract. The ISBA Government Affairs committee agreed that it was wise for ISBA staff to support the legislation to ensure it was done appropriately. A new bill was printed Thursday, creating a “pilot program” where school districts with enrollment of 400 or less can allow the spouse of a trustee to be hired under the normal process, so long as the trustee abstains from all decisions regarding their employment, discipline, etc. Its sunsets in five years, to ensure it works appropriately, and provides the opportunity to reexamine the entire statute. We understand if folks find this confusing given how the ISBA Resolution process works. The ISBA Executive Board endorsed the resolution originally brought by Midvale, and it failed only after it was amended to lift the enrollment cap. We feel this legislation, which includes a cap, is consistent with the will of membership.

ISBA Bill Tracker

Voucher Updates:

What is the difference between Idaho's voucher bills? Watch the video below to learn more.

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

• The House of Representatives introduced a new tax credit bill on Thursday. Read about the differences between it and HB39 here. 

• President Trump signed and executive order this week to direct states to fund voucher programs. Learn more about what that means here. 

• States who have passed similar voucher legislation to Idaho are relying on untested companies to manage the school choice marketplace. Learn about the struggles they are experiencing here.

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