Idaho Bills
46 bills · 2024 Regular Session
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding qualification and requirements for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
This legislation amends chapter 43, Title 33 of Idaho Code “Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.” It accomplishes three changes in Code. First, it eliminates the potential for duplication of funding for students that may qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship, which is a four-year $3,500 scholarship and the Idaho Launch Grants. They may apply but may only accept one. Secondly, it returns eligibility to use Opportunity Scholarship funds at an Idaho Community College. Finally, the limit on the availability of Opportunity Scholarship to adult students is adjusted to a more realistic limit from 20% of total appropriation of Opportunity Scholarships to 5%.
34 – 0
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 change the distribution amount for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding and to revise certain requirements regarding funding and distributions.
The purpose of this bill is to modernize the funding formula of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA), simplifying it to maintain transparency and public trust. It ensures that dollars appropriated to IDLA only go towardstheprogramandthoseappropriatedforpublicschoolsgotopublicschools. ItrequirestheJointFinance and Appropriations Committee to consider adjusting the funding level each year to compensate for Change in EmployeeCompensationforteachersandeducationsupportstaff. Additionally, thischangeguaranteesfunding solely for students served by IDLA, providing long-term financial stability and retaining the program's agility in responding to the needs of Idaho public schools.
34 – 1
Amends existing law to revise 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.
32 – 2
Amends existing law to prohibit instruction on human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity prior to grade 5.
Amends existing law to revise the powers of teachers in the classroom regarding when a teacher may physically escort a student out of class and when restraint or seclusion of a student must cease.
34 – 0
Amends existing law 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.
41 – 28
Amends and adds to existing law to prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to support teachers unions.
31 – 38
Amends and adds to existing law to require school districts to establish internet access policies to block certain content and to establish digital literacy instruction for students in grades 6 through 12.
This legislation stipulates new requirements for local school boards to update their internet use policy limiting access to certain online platforms, unless the district or school has identified these platforms for educational use or when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational or career explorations. Further, the legislation adds a new section to Chapter 16, Title 33, Idaho code regarding Digital Literacy for student’s 6th through 12 grades.
43 – 26
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 to revise the definition of “school age” to include children who are four years of age and to provide that it is not compulsory for school districts to establish kindergarten preparedness programs and it is not mandatory for an eligible child to attend such a program.
This legislation allows local school districts and public charter schools to use their state appropriation on children who are age 4. This does not change the school age and does not mandate that any school or district offer such program. It simply provides flexibility for school boards and their community to decide whether they feel a kindergarten preparedness program is right for their district.
Rod Furniss · HD-031B
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public charter school financial support, charter school authorizers, and eligibility of school districts for School Modernization Facilities Fund distributions and to require Senate approval of a certain Board of Education gubernatorial appointment.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to revise eligibility requirements for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
This is a correction made after the Legislature passed HB 500, which amended the Opportunity Scholarship to prevent students from accessing scholarship funds if they received a LAUNCH grant. This legislation clarifies that these requirements will start with the graduating class of 2025.
33 – 0
Amends existing law revise certain dates applicable to School District Facilities Fund distributions.
Amends existing law to provide that the Governor's appointment of the executive officer of the state board is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, to revise provisions regarding School District Facilities Fund distributions and School Modernization Facilities Fund distributions, and to revise provisions regarding public charter school financial support and charter school authorizers.
34 – 0
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 parent-as-teacher microschools sponsored by public school districts.
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.
Amends existing law to require school district boards of trustees to adopt certain rules of procedure for the conduct of their meetings.
60 – 8
Adds to existing law to allow public schools to display only certain flags and banners on school property and to prohibit schools from displaying certain flags and banners.
The classroom is a place to foster education and to do so, students should be comfortable and free from partisan politics. Personal political beliefs disrupt the classroom and make students uncomfortable, feel unwelcome and open the door to bullying if they are in the minority mindset. Third party flags are an open political statement and do not belong in the classroom.
31 – 4
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.
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.
Adds to existing law to convert the corporate entity Four Three Education into an independent public body corporate and politic and to invest such entity with the power to acquire and manage the University of Phoenix.
Charles Winder · SD-020
14 – 19
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the eligibility of school districts for School Modernization Facilities Fund distributions and to require Senate approval of a certain Board of Education gubernatorial appointment.
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 and adds the requirement for Senate confirmation of the Governor's appointments.
33 – 1