Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0656 – Student Immigration Data Collection Mandate
Bill Summary
House Bill 656 creates new Section 33-144 in Idaho Code, mandating that the Idaho State Board of Education collect aggregated data on immigration status, nationality, and primary language from all students enrolled in public K-12 schools, charter schools, and public higher education institutions. The bill defines four categories of immigration status: lawful permanent residents, nationals of the United States, qualified aliens, and non-qualified aliens (unauthorized individuals not lawfully admitted to the U.S.).
The stated legislative intent is to estimate the cost of educating Idaho students and illustrate the financial impact of federal immigration policy on the state. The bill requires that all collected data be aggregated rather than individualized, subject to existing data protection and privacy requirements under Section 33-133 of Idaho Code. The legislation explicitly prohibits using the data to discriminate against any student and limits its use to analysis purposes only. The State Board of Education must submit an annual report to the legislature containing the aggregated data. The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill creates a new statewide mandate requiring all public educational institutions to collect and report aggregated data on students’ immigration status, including identifying unauthorized immigrants. The legislation expands government data collection requirements and administrative burdens on schools, colleges, and the State Board of Education. While the bill includes privacy protections and anti-discrimination language, it establishes a new tracking system focused on immigration status that will require ongoing resources for implementation and annual reporting.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
Section 33-144(3) creates a new government mandate requiring the Idaho State Board of Education to collect immigration data from all public educational institutions, expanding the scope of government activity and administrative requirements. This new data collection program increases government involvement in tracking student demographics beyond traditional educational purposes. The bill adds regulatory burden on schools, charter schools, and higher education institutions to gather and report this information annually.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill addresses data collection by educational institutions and does not involve citizen participation in government, elections, voting rights, or political processes. The legislation operates entirely within the administrative framework of the State Board of Education and educational institutions without creating mechanisms for public involvement or discourse.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While this bill operates within the education system, it does not address core educational policy issues such as parental rights, school choice, curriculum content, teacher compensation, or funding formulas. Section 33-144(4) includes privacy protections stating that data "shall not be used to discriminate against any student," but the bill's focus on immigration data collection does not substantively engage with the educational priorities outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural education, or related industries.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to water rights, water management, prior appropriation, or water resources.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to environmental stewardship, natural resources, wilderness areas, or forest management.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to energy independence, energy resources, hydroelectric power, or electrical rates.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or energy technology development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to Fifth Amendment property rights, eminent domain, or regulations affecting property development.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to federal land management, state administration of lands, or land ownership issues.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to fish and game management, hunting, fishing, or predator control.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While Section 33-144(1) mentions estimating "the cost of educating Idaho students," the bill does not address commerce, industry, small business, labor, or transportation. The fiscal analysis purpose is limited to educational cost estimation rather than broader economic policy.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to healthcare delivery, health insurance, patient rights, or health savings accounts.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to traditional family values, marriage, right to life, or parental authority over children's welfare.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to policies affecting older Americans or seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
While Section 33-144(2)(b)(iv) defines "non-qualified alien" as individuals "unauthorized and not lawfully admitted into the United States," the bill focuses on data collection for cost analysis rather than law enforcement or removal of unauthorized individuals. The legislation explicitly prohibits using the data for discriminatory purposes and limits its use to analysis only.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
Section 33-144(1) states the intent to "illustrate the financial impact that federal immigration policy has on the state of Idaho," and the bill collects data on immigration status including unauthorized aliens. However, the legislation is limited to cost analysis and reporting rather than addressing border security, illegal immigration enforcement, or denial of services to unauthorized individuals.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to judicial elections, constitutional interpretation, or the court system.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
This bill addresses student data collection in educational institutions and has no connection to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or conscience protections.