LEGISLATURE
Education news, including daily roundups, from the 2026 session
The new law makes it a crime for transgender individuals to use public restrooms that align with their gender identity. A second offense is a felony.
The State Board of Education will meet next week to set college tuition and fees. The increases are likely to add several hundred dollars to Idaho’s college sticker price.
For the third time in four years, Idaho’s top-spending lobbying group is the American Federation for Children.
The rebuke comes after Little signed House Bill 516, legislation restricting school districts from accommodating a broad range of union activities.
The new law plays to Gov. Brad Little’s Republican Party base. But it puts him at odds with the Idaho Education Association, which has endorsed his previous campaigns.
Bills include restrictions on teachers’ unions and cuts to virtual education. The Republican also endorsed reporting requirements around transgender students and far-reaching civics instruction.
Gov. Brad Little used his “line-item veto” authority Friday to restore funding for eight medical residencies.
Gov. Brad Little has until April 14 to act on a bill banning taxpayer support of teachers’ union activities. His word figures to be the last word.
Democratic leaders were there, and they had a lot to say about decisions this year.
In a 2026 session surprise, the state superintendent was able to persuade a skeptical and cash-strapped Legislature. But the special education debate is anything but over.
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Statehouse roundup, 4.2.26: House passes teachers’ union restrictions, as session adjourns
The union restrictions aren’t new — lawmakers have debated them in past sessions, and earlier this session — but the issue came back to life in the waning days of the 2026 session.
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Statehouse roundup, 4.1.26: IDLA, virtual school budget cuts clear Senate
In other news, an eleventh-hour bill restricting teachers’ union activities cleared the Senate — after tense debate and over bipartisan opposition.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.31.26: Private school tax credit followup bill heads to Little
The House approved about $229 million in cash transfers, as a possible cushion if state revenues don’t rebound in the coming months.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.30.26: Senate ‘radiator caps’ bill to revive teachers’ union restrictions
In other Statehouse news, Gov. Brad Little has acted on a host of education bills. (Spoiler alert: His veto stamp remains unused for the year.)
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Statehouse roundup, 3.27.26: Senate committee rejects amendments to IDLA bill
In other news, a bill to criminalize violations of Idaho’s bathroom law passed the Senate, and goes to Gov. Brad Little’s desk.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.26.26: After a disjointed hearing, IDLA bill is on hold
In other news Thursday, budget-writers earmarked money for a $5 million special education program.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.25.26: IDLA budget cut clears House
The vote followed months of discussion over reforms that culminated in a heated House floor debate Wednesday.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.24.26: High-needs special education bill heads to Little’s desk
In other news, GOP leadership introduced a new policy bill making long-term cuts to the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance — bypassing the deadlocked House Education Committee.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.23.26: House committee rejects policy bill on IDLA as budget cuts advance
Also Monday, the Senate approved three education budget bills after rehashing recent taxing and spending decisions.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.20.26: JFAC slashes IDLA budget while largely sparing virtual charters
In other news, the House Education Committee sent a $5 million high-needs special education funding bill to the House floor.