IdahoSchool districts would be barred from using taxpayer funds for teachers unions
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho school districts would have to stop using taxpayer money for most teachers-union support, subject to listed exceptions.
What it does
School districts could not use taxpayer money for union dues, union communications, union funding, or employee time spent on most union activities.
Negotiated agreements could permit unpaid union work, freely chosen personal leave, or paid representational work, but paid duty time would require time reports and full union repayment.
Violations could lead to civil penalties of up to $2,500, while contract terms allowing prohibited taxpayer funding would be void.
Argument forDistricts may spend less taxpayer money on union activities because prohibited payments, payroll deductions, and paid union work would be restricted.
Argument againstDistricts and unions may face added tracking and billing work because paid representational time requires reports, invoices, and repayment within 30 days.
More detail
School districts and their agents would not be allowed to use taxpayer funds to support teachers unions or their affiliates. The rule covers school districts, including specially chartered districts, and professional employees, meaning certificated school employees other than superintendents, supervisors, and principals for negotiations. Districts could not deduct union dues or fees from employee pay, increase pay to fund union payments, share extra personal information without written permission, require union contact, distribute union messages, contribute money to unions, or pay employees for union activities. The rule has stated exceptions for certain existing education-law provisions and for the permission-based arrangements described below. The rule applies to contracts entered into or changed on or after July 1, 2026, and to renewals or extensions of existing contracts on or after that date.
A district and teachers union could allow unpaid time, certain personal leave, or paid work time for union representation under specified repayment rules. The options apply to professional employees and must be provided through a negotiated agreement between the district and teachers union. An employee may take unpaid time without benefits for union activities, while the union may pay the employee. An employee may use personal leave, including voluntarily donated leave, only if similarly situated employees earn leave at the same rate regardless of union membership and the employee freely chooses to use it. An employee may perform representational activities while on duty without losing pay or benefits only if the union reports the time at least twice a year, the district bills the union for the compensation and benefits, and the union pays the bill in full within 30 days. These arrangements apply to contracts entered into or changed on or after July 1, 2026, and to renewals or extensions of existing contracts on or after that date.
A person who violates the taxpayer-funding rule could face a civil penalty, and a contract term that violates the rule would have no legal effect. Penalties may apply to any person who violates the rule, with higher amounts for knowing or repeat knowing violations; unlawful terms may appear in any covered agreement. The maximum penalty is $250 for a violation, $1,500 for a knowing violation, and $2,500 for a knowing violation after a prior admission or finding of a violation. The attorney general or an appropriate county prosecutor may investigate complaints and enforce the rule. A contract provision that requires or permits prohibited taxpayer funding is void and against public policy. The penalties and contract rule apply to contracts entered into or changed on or after July 1, 2026, and to renewals or extensions of existing contracts on or after that date.
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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
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 342 Effective: 07/01/2026 and shall apply to contracts entered into or amended on or after July 1, 2026 and to any renewal or extension of existing contract on or after July 1, 2026.Became Law
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 5:44 p.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
- Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 2Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 2Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 2Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Apr 2PASSED - 43-24-3AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon(Cannon), Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Furniss, Hall(Stone), Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill(Hill), Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts(Batt), Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Bingham, Church, Egbert(Beazer), Erickson, Fuhriman, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Haws, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Petzke, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, VeileAbsent – Marmon, Weber, WheelerFloor Sponsors - Hawkins & BoyleTitle apvd - to enrol
- Apr 2Rules Suspended: Ayes 58 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 12, read in full as required – U.C. to be placed on General Orders; objection
- Apr 2Read first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Apr 2Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
- Apr 2Bills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
- Apr 2House Concurred in Senate Amendments
- Apr 2Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Apr 1Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 20-14-1AYES – Adams, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Carlson, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Anthon, Burtenshaw, Cook, Guthrie, Harris, Lent, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardAbsent and excused – ForemanFloor Sponsor - LenneyTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time as amended in the Senate –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 31Read second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 30Read first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 30Amendments reported printed
- Mar 30Reported out as amended; filed for first reading
- Mar 30Amendments ordered printed
- Mar 30Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 20Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Feb 18Introduced, read first time; referred to: EducationMinor
- Feb 18Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Feb 17Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 59-10-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman(Zaken), Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Church, Egbert, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Haws, Mathias, Nelsen, RubelAbsent – McCannFloor Sponsor - HawkinsTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Feb 13Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 12Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Jan 23Reported Printed and Referred to Education
- Jan 22Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 342 Effective: 07/01/2026 and shall apply to contracts entered into or amended on or after July 1, 2026 and to any renewal or extension of existing contract on or after July 1, 2026.Became Law
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