House Bill 93 — a bill to create a refundable tax credit for private schooling — has a powerful new advocate.

“This Bill, which has my Complete and Total Support, MUST PASS!” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday. Trump congratulated Gov. Brad Little and Idaho lawmakers who are “fighting to bring School Choice to their beautiful State.”

The Republican president has made school choice a priority in his second term. Last month, he signed an executive order directing the federal secretary of education to prioritize school choice in the Department of Education’s discretionary grant programs.

Idaho’s HB 93 would create a refundable tax credit worth up to $5,000 or $7,500 for students with special needs. The credit could cover private school tuition along with other education expenses.

The House approved the bill on Feb. 7. It’s now awaiting a vote in the Senate.

Little hasn’t endorsed HB 93, and it’s an open question whether he’ll sign it if it reaches his desk. The Republican governor last month promised to sign a $50 million private school choice bill, as long as it’s “fair, responsible, transparent and accountable.”

Reworked bill would create State Board elections

A repeat — and slightly reworked — bill would put State Board of Education spots on the ballot.

The bill calls for electing five of the eight State Board members. The governor would still have the power to appoint two board members, and the elected state schools superintendent would get the eighth spot.

The bill’s sponsor decried the State Board’s geographic split.

“I feel there is unfair representation on the State Board of Education,” said Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa.

The bill’s “statement of purpose” says three of the board’s members are from Boise. But a 2024 law establishes seven regional districts for future State Board appointments.

The Alfieri-Lenney bill would create five regional districts for the elected State Board — corresponding with legislative districts 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28 and 29-35.

It’s unclear whether the board elections would be partisan or nonpartisan. “That’s not defined in the bill,” Alfieri said.

The bill would also create a $12,000 annual stipend for State Board members, and board members would receive up to $150 a day for travel expenses.

Currently, board members receive $50 per day for work exceeding four hours, and $25 per day for work taking less than four hours. Board members can also receive travel reimbursements.

Alfieri pushed a State Board elections bill last year. It didn’t pass, and the bill creating seven State Board districts effectively preempted it.

The House State Affairs Committee voted to introduce the elections bill, setting the stage for a full hearing at a later date.

Senators give top State Board appointment a brief look

State Board of Education Executive Director Joshua Whitworth faced a pedestrian confirmation hearing Monday.

It took the Senate Education Committee only 13 minutes to discuss Whitworth’s permanent appointment.

The committee’s questions were limited, and a couple of the questions centered on the three jobs Whitworth is now juggling. In addition to his State Board job, Whitworth is now heading the state’s Division of Career-Technical Education and the Idaho Public Charter School Commission, both on an interim basis.

Whitworth said he would hope to see the other two positions filled as soon as possible. But he said the workload of the legislative session could slow down the process.

“I can’t give you a definitive timeline,” Whitworth said Monday.

This is the first time a State Board executive director has faced Senate confirmation. A clause in House Bill 521 — the complicated omnibus school facilities law passed in 2024 — gave lawmakers veto power over the hire.

Gov. Brad Little hired Whitworth in June, pending Senate confirmation.

Senate Education took no vote on Whitworth’s nomination Monday. Customarily, Senate committees hold their discussion and then make their recommendation at a later date — which means a committee vote on Whitworth could be as early as Tuesday.

Whitworth’s nomination will then go to the full Senate, with or without the committee‘s recommendation.

New bill would expand charter credit enhancement tool

A new bill would increase the cap on a state credit enhancement program for public charter schools. 

The existing tool helps charters obtain lower interest rates on $200 million worth of bonds. The bill would increase this cap to $500 million. It’s sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, and Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls.

Rep. Douglas Pickett, chairman of the House Education Committee, introduced the bill Monday. “It would…ensure that those dollars that are appropriated for those schools make it to the students and their needs more directly, without any unnecessary overhead or interest costs,” said Pickett, R-Oakley. 

The credit enhancement tool has resulted in $11.8 million in annual interest savings or an estimated $112 million over 15 years, according to the bill’s statement of purpose. 

The House Education Committee voted to introduce the bill, setting the stage for a future public hearing.

Replacement bill changes charter priority list placement for active-duty military families

Last week, the House Education Committee advanced a bill placing active-duty military families second on the priority access list for public charter schools. A new version moving them to third on the list was introduced Monday.

Sponsoring Rep. David Leavitt, R-Twin Falls, said the new bill addresses “concerns about individuals like siblings being bumped in that priority list.”

The new list would have children of charter school founders first, followed by siblings of existing students second and active-duty military families third.

The House Education Committee voted to introduce the new bill and send it to the House floor.

Higher ed contracts bill heads to Senate floor

A bill designed to help universities compete for state contracts is headed to the Senate floor.

The Senate State Affairs Committee endorsed House Bill 34, which would allow state agencies to contract directly with universities. The bill has already passed the House.