IdahoIdaho sets aside college money and cuts state operating budgets
Idaho sets aside $2,420,200 for four public colleges and cuts $752,900 from their General Fund operating budgets for July 2026 through June 2027.
What it does
The law sets aside $2,420,200 for four Idaho public colleges for July 2026 through June 2027. This includes $510,500 from the General Fund and $1,909,700 in endowment income.
The law also cuts $752,900 from the four colleges’ General Fund budgets for operating costs. These cuts apply to July 2026 through June 2027.
Argument forMoney set aside for staff and operating costs could help the four colleges pay employees and keep daily services running.
Argument againstCuts to General Fund operating budgets could force colleges to shift other money toward routine expenses.
More detail
The State Board of Education and University of Idaho regents may spend up to $2,420,200 on the listed college budgets. The money covers Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, and the University of Idaho. General Fund money totals $510,500: $139,400 for Boise State, $97,800 for Idaho State, and $273,300 for the University of Idaho. Idaho State’s endowment income includes $113,000 from the Charitable Institutions fund and $260,100 from the Normal School fund. Lewis-Clark’s share is $355,800 from the Normal School fund. The University of Idaho’s endowment income includes $120,000 from the Agricultural College fund, $380,400 from the Scientific School fund, and $680,400 from the University fund. The spending limits are $865,400 for staff costs and $1,554,800 for operating costs. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The spending authorization covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The law cuts the four colleges’ General Fund budgets for operating costs by $752,900. The cuts are $295,300 for Boise State University, $186,300 for Idaho State University, $61,100 for Lewis-Clark State College, and $210,200 for the University of Idaho. The cuts apply to operating costs paid from the General Fund. The cuts cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 30Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 27, 2026 Session Law Chapter 206 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 27Delivered to Governor at 4:40 p.m. on March 26, 2026To Governor
- Mar 26Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 26Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 26Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 25Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 25Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 24Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full – PASSED - 30-4-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Kohl, Lenney, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – Bjerke(Bjerke)Floor Sponsor - WoodwardTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) – Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 24Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 20Introduced, read first time; referred to: FinanceMinor
- Mar 20Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 19Rules Suspended: Ayes 64 Nays 4 Abs/Excd 2, read in full as required – PASSED - 62-7-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Cayler, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Palmer, Rasor, ThompsonAbsent – Vander WoudeFloor Sponsor - HarrisTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 64 Nays 4 Abs/Excd 2, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 19Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 18Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 18Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
EducationTaxes & Budget