Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1245 – Idaho Education Code Cleanup Act of 2026
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1245 repeals 15 sections of Idaho education code identified as obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary. The repealed provisions include public school financial requirements (33-117), pay for success contracting (33-125B), high-performing schools reporting (33-140), school building energy efficiency standards (33-356), specialized diploma programs including STEM (33-523), biliteracy (33-524), and workforce readiness diplomas (33-526), along with various outdated funding mechanisms related to mine net profits apportionments and county tax levies.
The bill also makes conforming amendments to two existing code sections. Section 33-1002 is amended to remove references to the repealed pay for success contracting program from the educational support program calculations. Section 33-3304 is amended to eliminate an obsolete conditional clause related to a memorandum of understanding for the Albion Normal School Field Institute. The legislation declares an emergency and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill streamlines Idaho’s education code by removing 15 obsolete statutory provisions and updating two sections to eliminate outdated references. The legislation removes administrative requirements and reporting mandates that are no longer in use, including specialized diploma programs and defunct funding mechanisms. By eliminating unnecessary statutory language, the bill reduces regulatory complexity in Idaho’s education code without changing current educational policy or practice.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (1)
The bill explicitly states its intent to ensure Idaho Code is "streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho" and identifies provisions as "obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary" following comprehensive review. By repealing 15 sections and removing 32 words of obsolete language, the legislation reduces unnecessary statutory requirements and administrative complexity. This directly implements responsible government by eliminating defunct programs like pay for success contracting (Section 33-125B) and outdated funding mechanisms that no longer serve a purpose.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill addresses education code cleanup and contains no provisions related to elections, voting procedures, primary elections, political participation, or citizen involvement in government processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the bill repeals education-related code sections including STEM diplomas (33-523), biliteracy diplomas (33-524), and workforce readiness diplomas (33-526), these provisions are identified as obsolete and no longer in use. The changes are administrative cleanup rather than substantive policy modifications that would affect current educational programs, curriculum standards, or school operations.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill exclusively addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural education, water rights for agriculture, or family farms.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to water rights, water management, prior appropriation doctrine, rivers, dams, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
While the bill repeals Section 33-356 relating to school building design and energy efficiency, this provision is identified as obsolete. The bill does not establish new environmental policies, address natural resource management, or impose environmental regulations.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to energy policy, energy independence, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or energy research and development.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, energy research and development, or technology transfer programs.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to private property rights, eminent domain, just compensation, regulatory takings, or property development regulations.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to state or federal land management, federal land ownership, transfer of public lands, or state administration of lands.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, Idaho Fish and Game, or predator control policies.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill repeals the industry partner fund (Section 33-2213), this provision is identified as obsolete. The bill does not contain substantive provisions affecting commerce, business regulation, labor policy, or economic development beyond removing defunct statutory language.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to healthcare, health insurance, patient rights, health savings accounts, Medicaid, or welfare programs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to family values, parental authority in education, marriage, right to life, or children's welfare beyond administrative code cleanup.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to older Americans, retirement policies, senior services, or policies affecting seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to criminal justice, gun rights, drug policy, incarceration, law enforcement, or the death penalty.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to national defense, military policy, veterans' affairs, border security, or the Idaho National Guard.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to judicial elections, judge selection processes, court procedures, or constitutional interpretation methods.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill addresses education code provisions and contains no text relating to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or conscience protections.