TallyIDAHOLegislative Tracker
S11982025 Regular SessionSigned into law

Adds to existing law to establish provisions to ensure freedom of inquiry in higher education.

EDUCATION -- Adds to existing law to establish provisions to ensure freedom of inquiry in higher education.

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted
▶ Show statement of purpose

This legislation works to protect freedom of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge in Idaho’s institutions of higher education by freeing students and faculty from compulsory ideological training. In addition, it prohibits DEI-based discrimination in admission and hiring, DEI-related employee incentives, DEI offices and officer positions, diversity training, and bias reporting systems. Students also may not be forced to enroll in a course designed and implemented with DEI principles unless their chosen course of study is based on these concepts. Institutions are held accountable via annual reporting to the Attorney General and legislature, along with a private cause of action for injunctive relief and/or penalties from the AG’s office for failure to comply. This will not affect centers and scholarships for American Indian students.

▶ Show fiscal note

There may be long-term cost savings associated with ending the DEI administrative apparatus in taxpayer-funded institutions of higher education, as some positions and programs will end. It could save up to $3.8 Million based on the 51 associated positions previously identified in Idaho’s Higher Education institutions.

house Chamber· Apr 3, 2025

House Third Reading

✓ Passed
52 Yea
17 Nay
1 absentPassed by 35 votes
Republican
52 yea/8 nay
Democrat
0 yea/9 nay
Show all 69 voter names

ABSENT / NOT VOTING (1)

Session Law Chapter 317 Effective: 07/01/2025