A House committee introduced a bill to phase out Idaho Launch — which could cut off some students’ funding in the postsecondary aid program.

At a 7:15 a.m. meeting Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced the bill, sponsored by Rep, Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, the House’s assistant majority leader.

Tanner’s bill would cut off Launch funding in 2026, moving up the 2029 sunset date from the original Launch law. And it would zero out the $80 million-a-year in-demand careers fund that has funded Launch. Lawmakers created the in-demand careers fund — and earmarked ongoing tax collections for the program — during a one-day special legislative session in September 2022.

Tanner’s bill represents a new legislative challenge to Launch, which has been controversial since its creation in 2023. Pushed by Gov. Brad Little, Launch is designed to provide financial aid for high school graduates pursuing an in-demand career. Students can use their money to pursue a two- or four-year college degree or career-technical training.

Legislative hardliners — including House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star — have long dismissed Launch as a pricey government handout.

During Ways and Means’ brief hearing, Tanner said Launch has “morphed” into a program that is paying for four-year school, not career-technical education. And under questioning, Tanner said some financial aid could go away if the in-demand careers fund is zeroed out.

“It could cause (students) to actually maybe have a year where they don’t get the funding,” Tanner said.

The introduction in Ways and Means was unorthodox, but not unusual. A catchall committee, comprised largely of Republican and Democratic leadership, Ways and Means essentially meets at Moyle’s call, and holds print hearings on a gamut of bills.

Ways and Means’ vote could set the stage for a full hearing on the Launch bill, likely in a different House committee.

New bill to arm school teachers introduced

A Republican from Eagle introduced a new bill Tuesday to arm K-12 teachers. 

After a similar bill last year easily cleared the House but stalled in the Senate, Rep. Ted Hill is taking another crack at legislation giving school employees the right to carry firearms. Hill framed the proposal as a way to deter school shootings. 

“What is it with schools?” Hill told the House State Affairs Committee. “Is it (because) they hate children, or is it a soft target? I think the reality is it’s a soft target.”

The new bill allows local school leaders to decide what level of training would be required to carry on campus. The previous bill would have forced school districts to permit concealed firearms on campus.

According to the new version, the minimum, state-level requirements for carrying a firearm at school would be possession of an enhanced concealed carry permit — which requires eight hours of classroom instruction along with firing a minimum of 98 practice rounds — or completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) course. 

House State Affairs voted to introduce the bill, setting the stage for a future committee hearing.

New transgender dorm bill introduced

In other early morning work, the House Ways and Means Committee printed a third version of a bill to require single-sex dorms and restrooms on college campuses.

Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, brought the slightly reworded bill — in hopes of getting it back before the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee Friday.

The intent of the bill remains unchanged. Colleges and universities would be required to designate multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms and dorm rooms “for the exclusive use by either females or males.”

According to the bill, “No individual shall enter a restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters that is designated for females or males unless such individual is a member of that sex.”

The bill does not address transgender students directly. But in the bill’s statement of purpose, Ehardt says her goal is to “protect the rights of girls and women and their single-sex spaces.”

Technology awareness bill heads to Senate

A bill requiring the Idaho Department of Education to develop a technology awareness program aimed at parents is heading to the full Senate. 

The educational program would have to “enhance parent and legal guardian awareness” of dangers associated with cellphones and computers as well as the nature of online threats and methods for protecting students from threats and exploitation online. 

Per Senate Bill 1070, each school district would be responsible for distributing program information and obtaining a signed acknowledgement from parents confirming that they’re aware of the resource. 

The Senate Education Committee unanimously voted to advance the bill Tuesday.

Sponsoring Sen. Kevin Cook said most parents assume school-issued laptops are “foolproof.” “I’m standing here to tell you that is absolutely false, that there is no way to make that Chromebook or laptop completely safe for children,” said Cook, R-Idaho Falls. 

During a public hearing, representatives from the Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Coalition and Idaho Parent Teacher Association testified in support. 

SB 1070 now heads to the full Senate. 

State Board, Charter Commission appointments advance

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee unanimously voted to recommend two gubernatorial appointments: Joshua Whitworth to director of the State Board of Education and Wanda Quinn to the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.

The full Senate will vote on the appointments next.