The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a wide-ranging bill to amend widespread school facilities laws.
The House Education Committee approved a “trailer” bill to amend House Bill 521, the facilities plan signed Friday by Gov. Brad Little.
In Capitol Hill language, the proposal that passed the House floor is known as a “trailer” bill, a follow-up bill to a bill that has already made it through the legislative process. And in the case of HB 521, lawmakers drafted several items that could be repaired later in the session.
The latest legislation came Tuesday morning as parliament began its 13th week of session after a three-day Easter weekend. This is at least the eighth “trailer” of HB 521 that has surfaced recently.
“I think this is the best, not perfect, way we’ve come up with it,” said co-sponsor House Education Committee Chairwoman Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell.
The new bill, an omnibus “trailer,” includes several familiar topics.
- In the HB 521 debate, the controversial four-day school language was toned down. Schools that receive a portion of the $1 billion in new facilities funding must meet state requirements for the school day or minimum instructional hours. The language used in class is a big change. More than 90 districts and charters operate on a four-day schedule to meet the state's minimum class hours.
- Charter schools are guaranteed a total of $400 in facility funding per student. This will replace an older and more complicated formula that provided roughly the same amount of rent.
- These fixes are designed to address funding issues in specific districts. This would allow the Oneida School District to collect as much money from HB 521 as it would from the bond levy equalization fund that HB 521 eliminates. Oneida passed a $29 million bond issue in 2023.
- A provision allowing the Senate to confirm the executive director of the State Board of Education.
The omnibus trailer could move forward at a rapid pace as lawmakers hope to wrap up the 2024 session this week. The House Education voted unanimously Tuesday morning to print the bill and send it directly to the House for a vote, bypassing the customary public hearing. That means the bill could get a House vote as early as Tuesday.
Nonetheless, House Education members expressed some concerns.
Vice Chair Lori McCann lamented the fact that lawmakers are being forced to rework HB 521, a sweeping bill that would fund school facilities, lower income tax rates and eliminate the August school election date.
“The impact of the Christmas tree bill is very disappointing to me as a legislator,” said McCann, R-Lewiston.
Rep. Chris Mathias (D-Boise) criticized the idea of giving the Senate veto power over the state board's executive director.
“This is the appalling nature of partisan politics,” he said. “(And) this is how swamps are born.”
Legislative Assembly passes with release of funds
Funding for the Idaho launch was secured Tuesday as the Senate approved funding for the program despite significant opposition.
The 21-14 vote blocked a rocky path for an emerging program that would provide $8,000 for job training to Idaho high school graduates. House Bill 722The Workforce Development Council budget provides $70.8 million in launch grants for approximately 9,000 students.
Sen. Dave Lent, who co-sponsored the budget bill, said the program would help students develop “marketable skills” they can acquire at a younger age. “Now they can get a job, they can pay their taxes and they can support their families,” said Lent, R-Idaho Falls. “They are not living on the edge of the poverty level, moving in and out of social programs.”
Gov. Brad Little proposed a launch program last year, and the proposal narrowly passed the Legislature. Since then, more than 13,000 students have applied for scholarships. Nonetheless, the program has faced new resistance this year.
Sen. Ben Adams pointed to data Tuesday showing many college students are switching majors. If students change careers after using the Launch Fund, “it’s just free college,” said Adams, R-Nampa.
The House has already passed HB 722 by a 39-31 vote. Now the bill heads to Little's desk.
Meanwhile, the Senate could soon vote on another bill that would narrow the field of “high-demand” job training eligible for launch. House Bill 741 It passed the House last week, and the Senate State Affairs Committee is scheduled to take up the bill Tuesday afternoon.