Bills Evaluated in Affordability Index
S1331 Budget Cuts to Offset Revenue Shortfalls
OPPOSE - This bill imposes across-the-board funding cuts of 3–4% to all state agencies to offset revenue shortfalls from the prior year and align Idaho’s budget with federal tax changes under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Most agencies face a 4% reduction. K-12 public education, Medicaid, the Idaho State Police, and the Idaho Department of Corrections are limited to a 3% cut. In total, this bill does the following:
reduces FY26 appropriations by $192 million
eliminates 110 full-time positions across multiple agencies
includes a $22 million transfer from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund
These broad, indiscriminate cuts have been criticized as a blunt approach that avoids careful evaluation of programs and priorities. While some areas were spared the additional 1% reduction, cuts to Medicaid and K–12 education remain deeply concerning. They disproportionately affect Idaho’s most vulnerable residents and undermine long-term affordability by weakening access to health care and limiting the state’s ability to prepare the next generation for economic self-sufficiency.
The ripple effects will be felt across many essential services that Idahoans rely on every day.
This legislation was signed into law on March 16, 2026.
H0558 Protecting Social Security Benefits for Foster Youth
SUPPORT -This bill safeguards Social Security and Veteran survivor benefits for children in state custody.
Idaho has long appropriated federal Social Security and Veterans benefits on behalf of foster children and applied them toward the cost of care. HB 588 ends this practice. The law requires the state to ensure that each child in its custody who is eligible for federal benefits has applied for and is receiving them and that those benefits are held in a savings account for the child.
We support this bill because it recognizes these benefits as earned support tied to a parent’s work or service and ensures they are directed toward the child’s future. Preserving these funds provides young people leaving foster care with a modest but meaningful financial foundation—helping support stability, independence, and long-term opportunity at a critical transition point.
This legislation was signed into law on March 17, 2026.
S1419 Reductions To Childcare Assistance Eligibility
OPPOSE - While intended to address fraud, waste, and abuse in the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), this bill goes well beyond program integrity and makes sweeping changes that reduce access and create instability. It lowers eligibility from 175% to 135% of the federal poverty level, imposes a $500,000 asset cap that includes home equity, tightens work requirements, increases provider regulations, and removes detailed program rules—leaving significant uncertainty for both families and providers.
S1419 would reduce access to childcare, as fewer families would qualify under stricter income, asset, and work requirements. Those who lose assistance would face full childcare costs, increasing financial strain. At the same time, added administrative and financial burdens on providers may push some out of the program or discourage participation, further reducing available care.
This legislation failed in the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was not advanced to the House.
H0876 Cuts To 2027 State Board of Education Maintenance Budget
OPPOSE - This maintenance budget bill imposes a 5% base reduction for the Idaho State Board of Education in FY27- exceeding the Governor’s proposed 3% cut by two additional percentage points.
The reduction affects a wide range of programs and institutions, including the Agricultural Research and Extension Service, colleges and universities, community colleges, the Office of the State Board of Education, Health Education Programs, Career Technical Education, Idaho Public Television, Special Programs, the Department of Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.
We oppose this legislation because of its disproportionate impact on higher education—due in part to other agencies, including K–12 education, corrections, and state police, being shielded from deeper cuts. Students are already grappling with rising tuition and a higher cost of living; further reductions in state support will likely drive costs even higher, putting postsecondary education out of reach for many Idahoans. Colleges and universities are already eliminating programs and restructuring to absorb existing cuts; these future cuts will only make matters worse.
At its core, this debate is about the state’s responsibility to invest in its future workforce. A strong higher education system equips Idahoans with the skills and credentials needed for economic stability and mobility. Undermining that system threatens long-term prosperity and limits opportunity—especially for students without the means to absorb rising costs. We strongly oppose this legislation.
This legislation was signed into law on March 26, 2026.
H0907 Partial funding restoration for Division of Career Technical Education
SUPPORT - This enhancement budget bill partially restores funding previously cut from the Division of Career Technical Education (CTE). These programs equip students with practical skills and hands-on training, enabling them to enter the workforce ready to support themselves after high school.
This bill restores funding for high-school level CTE programs as follows:
FY 26 - restores incremental 1% rescission - $957,600
FY 27 - restores 2% rescission - $1,877,300
A Career and Technical Education primer from the Library of Congress identifies these programs as essential to workforce development. Research shows CTE increases high school graduation rates, provides earlier and more meaningful exposure to career pathways, and prepares students to transition directly into the workforce upon graduation.
Investing in these opportunities is critical to helping individuals achieve long-term economic stability.
This legislation was signed into law on March 26, 2026.
H0908 Restores Tuition Assistance Fund for National Guard
SUPPORT - This enhancement budget bill restores a portion of funding for the State Education Assistance Program, which provides tuition support to members of the Idaho National Guard.
The program has been described as a “life-changing benefit” that helps the Idaho National Guard recruit and retain soldiers and airmen, according to Timothy Donnellan, adjutant general and commander. Eligible Guard members may receive up to $8,000 per fiscal year for tuition and fees at Idaho colleges and universities. This bill restores $190,800 to the program.
We strongly support this investment. It is a modest cost in return for the service and sacrifice of Idaho National Guard members, while also expanding access to higher education.
This legislation was signed into law on March 26, 2026
S1438 Add’l Cuts To Idaho Digital Learning Alliance Budget By $13.5M (52%)
OPPOSE - This legislation reduces the FY 2027 budget for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) by $13.5 million—cutting it to roughly half of its FY 2026 funding. It also prohibits the use of funds from the Public Education Stabilization Fund, effectively capping enrollment in IDLA programs. Additional provisions require IDLA to certify that no funds support courses related to DEI and impose new budgeting and operational reporting requirements to prohibit “double-dipping”, where districts receive extra state funding for kids taking online classes..
IDLA has long been recognized as a model for how virtual education can expand access to high-quality learning opportunities, particularly in geographically dispersed states. The program is funded through a combination of legislative appropriations, course fees paid by students’ home school districts, and private grants. Its benefits far outweigh its relatively modest cost: students gain access to courses that may not be available in their local schools due to size, location, or staffing limitations—challenges that are especially common in Idaho’s many rural communities.
All students deserve equitable access to educational opportunities. These cuts undermine that principle, and we oppose this legislation.
This legislation was signed into law on April 10, 2026.
H0940 Elimination Of Course Offerings For The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance
OPPOSE - This legislation significantly narrows the scope of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), eliminating course offerings that fall outside its core mission of providing supplemental online classes for Idaho public school students. The bill removes custom sections that allow duplicate funding, excludes participation by virtual schools, and eliminates driver’s education courses and all programs serving K–5 students. It also establishes minimum course fees and caps state funding at $445 per course. As a result, an estimated 6,700 course enrollments will be lost.
While we recognize the need to address funding complexities - particularly where students are counted in both in-person and online settings - these cuts are overly broad and risk undermining student success. Early learning programs like Launchpad provide critical intervention and help set students on a path toward long-term achievement. Gaps in the early years are rarely recovered; they tend to widen over time.
Access is also a key concern. IDLA plays an essential role in ensuring that students—especially those in rural areas - can take specialized classes or earn dual credit when those options are not available locally. A more targeted, thoughtful approach would preserve these opportunities while addressing funding concerns.
This legislation was signed into law on April 10, 2026.