LEGISLATURE
Education news, including daily roundups, from the 2026 session
Idaho colleges and universities are working through compliance with Idaho’s latest anti-DEI law, passed last year. Two right-wing groups say the colleges and the State Board are breaking the law.
The $1,700 credit refunds donations to organizations that offer students scholarships covering tuition, tutoring and other education expenses.
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. But as Horman leaves the Statehouse, the Legislature will have to wrestle Idaho’s biggest budget crunch in nearly 20 years, and implement a new private school tax credit law.
Rural public school leaders say the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance is a “lifeline” for supplementing curriculum.
Gov. Brad Little worked in a raft of rosy remarks about the Idaho economy on Monday. And he talked a lot about the need for cuts. The strange mixed message sets the table for what could be a strange session.
Virtual schools and universities aren’t immune from more than $850 million in cuts, reversions and transfers aimed at balancing the state’s budget.
Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, served as House Education vice chairman in 2025, frequently aligning with hardline conservatives on the divided panel.
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Democrats aren’t buying it. Also, Gov. Brad Little says special education funding is a ‘critical’ issue that will be addressed after the state budget is ironed out.
Idaho faces a projected $555 million gap between spending requests and available revenues — a 10% gulf. And this time around, Idaho won’t get a truckload of federal money to erase the shortfall.
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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.