IdahoIdaho cuts digital academy funding and limits course offerings
For fiscal year 2027, the Idaho Digital Learning Academy's funding is cut by $13.5 million, and it may have to reduce courses or deny eligible enrollments to stay within its cash.
What it does
The academy's fiscal year 2027 appropriation is reduced by $13.5 million, all counted as a reduction in General Fund spending.
The academy cannot use the Public Education Stabilization Fund for services in fiscal year 2027. It must use existing cash for eligible enrollments above its appropriation and cut offerings or deny enrollments as needed to keep a positive balance.
The academy must check state-funded courses about diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice against Idaho's dignity and nondiscrimination standards, then report any violations and related spending.
The academy must report detailed course, enrollment, budget, and spending information to help lawmakers consider how state funding is tied to student enrollment.
Argument forDetailed course and spending reports could help lawmakers see how the academy uses state funding when they consider future funding rules.
Argument againstStudents could lose access to eligible courses if the academy must deny enrollments to keep its cash balance positive.
More detail
The text reduces the academy's fiscal year 2027 appropriation by $13.5 million. The reduction applies to the Idaho Digital Learning Academy within the Public Schools Educational Support Program. The reduction covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The academy may not use the Public Education Stabilization Fund for services during the covered year and must cut offerings or deny eligible enrollments as needed to keep a positive cash balance. These rules apply to Idaho Digital Learning Academy services and eligible enrollments. The academy must use existing cash balances for costs of eligible enrollments above its appropriation. The fund withdrawal ban applies to services provided July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The academy must check that state-funded courses meet Idaho's dignity and nondiscrimination standards and report its findings and related spending. The requirement applies to courses supported with state-appropriated funds. The check covers courses related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice ideology. The report must include spending details for any course found out of compliance. The report is due to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee by December 1, 2026.
The academy must provide lawmakers with detailed information on its services, courses, enrollments, budget, and spending. The report covers the Idaho Digital Learning Academy and is intended to help the Legislature consider how state funding is matched to student enrollment. The report must include course and enrollment details, the basis for budgeted amounts, and budget and spending data for academy operations. The report's format and content are set in consultation with the Legislative Services Office's Budget and Policy Analysis Division. The report, based on the 2025–2026 school year, is due by August 1, 2026.
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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 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 331 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 59 Nays 6 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2Reported delivered to Governor at 5 p.m. on 04/02/26To Governor
- Apr 2Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 2Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Apr 2Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Apr 2Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Apr 2Rules Suspended: Ayes 59 Nays 6 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 38-28-4AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon(Cannon), Cayler, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill(Hill), Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Egbert(Beazer), Fuhriman, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Petzke, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts(Batt), Skaug, VeileAbsent – Manwaring, Marmon, Weber, WheelerFloor Sponsor - PriceTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 2Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 1Read First Time, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Apr 1Read third time in full – PASSED - 28-6-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, VanOrden, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, WintrowAbsent and excused – ForemanFloor Sponsor - GallowayTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 1Retained on calendar
- Mar 31Retained on calendar
- Mar 30Retained on calendar
- Mar 27Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 26Reported Printed; referred to Finance
- Mar 25Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
- Apr 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 331 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
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