Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding student education data.

This legislation seeks to update Title 33 Chapter 133, Idaho Code regarding the use, limitations, and penalties related to student data. The proposed legislation provides technical corrections and broadens the scope of student data to encompass education data more generally, thereby allowing staff data to receive the same protections as student data.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Public Education Facilities Fund.

Thisbillwouldcreateafundinthestatetreasurytosupportpubliceducationfacilities. Moneysinthefundshall be distributed as a need-based grant to school districts for the purposes of financing construction, remodel, and maintenance of school facilities. An application for such grant funds shall include a detailed plan for the school facility project, details concerning facilities conditions, projected costs related to the project, estimated bond levy request, previous bond levy requests, and financial condition report of the school district. The treasurer shall review and approve applications in consultation with the state division of occupational and professional licenses, the state fire marshal, the state board of education, and the state department of education. Based on the application, the state treasurer may approve all or part of the grant request. If the state treasurer approves the grant application, the school district may then pursue their bond levy, less the grant amount approved for distribution.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding when a student can be exempted from certain required English language assessments.

Thisbillupdatesthestatuteaddressingassessmentexemptionsandremoveslanguageregardingassessmentsno longer used in Idaho and include current state-mandated tests. This bill also provides an exemption for English language learning students, who have not been enrolled for two (2) full school years in the United States and who score less than a level two (2) on the state’s English language proficiency test, to be exempted from the Idaho Reading Indicator assessment. Schools must determine which students qualify for the exemption before the fall testing date.

Amends existing law to prohibit instruction on human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity prior to grade 5.

The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit sex education of all types prior to the 5th grade within the school system by amending section 33-1611. The goal is to protect the innocence of our children in the most formative years of their life.

Amends and repeals existing law to revise provisions regarding student funding to provide for per-student funding.

This legislation modernizes K-12 funding by including a student-based component. It shifts general discretionary funding from a support unit-based amount to a student-based amount. It declares that weights will be added to the student-based funding in the future to reflect student characteristics. Thelegislationrequirescertaindatatobepostedonline,allowsdistrictsandchartersfundingflexibilityifcertain performance criteria are met, and states that the school payment schedule will be re-evaluated.

Amends existing law revise certain dates applicable to School District Facilities Fund distributions.

This bill makes technical corrections to HB 521, which will allow those school districts that passed qualifying bonds to receive a payment that is at least equal to what they would have received under bond levy equalization in FY25 and FY26.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Adult Workforce High School Diploma Program to assist students 22 years of age and older with obtaining high school diplomas and authorizes the State Board of Education to administer the program.

This legislation establishes a pay-for-performance accredited adult workforce high school diploma program for those aged twenty-two and older. The program will be administered by the Idaho State Board of Education. Eligibleprovidersmayoffertheprogramincampusbased,onlineorblendedmodality. Thisperformance-based model allows providers to offer outcomes-based instruction and curriculum including employability skills, career pathways, and certifications intended to prepare adult learners for employment. These tier 1 regionally accredited diplomas will be recognized by higher education institutions and the U.S. Military.

Adds to existing law to establish the Higher Education Fairness Act to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, diversity training, and political loyalty tests in higher education.

This legislation protects the Constitutional right to equal protection under the law in Idaho's institutions for higher education. It creates a new Chapter 68, Title 33, Idaho Code to prevent Idaho's public colleges and universities from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion bureaucracies. It bars the use of public funds to support diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, and employees. It bans the use of political loyalty tests when selecting candidates for employment or college admission. Finally, it also prohibits mandatory diversity training for students, faculty, and employees at Idaho's public institutions for higher education.

Repeals existing law related to the eligibility of school districts for School Modernization Facilities Fund distributions.

This is a trailer bill to H 521. It would repeal section 33-916 pertaining to 5-day/4-day school weeks as added by section 18 to H 521.

Amends existing law to revise the minimum and maximum distribution amounts for school districts from the School Modernization Facilities Fund and to revise provisions regarding a school district's eligibility to receive such funds.

This legislation is a trailer bill to H 521 that would do two things. This legislation would amend the Fixed Distribution section of the School Modernization Facilities Fund in Idaho Code 33-915 by raising the minimum distribution to $100,000 and cap the maximum distribution at $100M. This legislation delays implementation of the 5-day/4-day provision found in 33-916(2) until July 1, 2025. This provides the legislature, State Board of Education and school districts more time to promulgate consensus-based implementation.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding funding of public schools and to provide for outcomes-based funding.

This legislation modernizes Idaho’s K-12 school funding formula by adding an outcomes-based funding component. This is an important shift in school funding, moving from paying exclusively for inputs to including a component that pays for student growth and achievement. It provides a funding framework for school districts and public charter schools to receive funding aligned with statewide student achievement goals, specifically growth and proficiency targets for math (grades 5 through 8) and attaining college and career readiness credentials.

Amends existing law to require State Board of Education appointments to be made with the advice of the Senate and revises provisions regarding school modernization facilities fund distributions.

This proposal clarifies the implementation and phasing of School Modernization Facilities Fund Distributions.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding school facilities funding.

This legislation is a trailer bill to H 521. It would delay the issuance of bonds and annualized or lump sum distribution. It would also delay eligibility for fund distributions and the use of the School Modernization Facilities Fund.