Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1408 – FY2027 Deaf and Blind Education Appropriation
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1408 appropriates an additional $356,300 to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). The funding is drawn from two sources: $335,900 transferred from the General Fund into the Public School Income Fund, and $20,400 drawn from the School for the Deaf and the Blind Endowment Fund — the latter being the single new insertion this bill makes to existing law. Sections 2 through 4 clarify the original fund sources for these expenditures, ensuring proper accounting treatment so that each dollar is recorded against the correct fund.
The bill declares an emergency, making it effective July 1, 2026, the start of the fiscal year, to ensure uninterrupted funding for the program. Students who are deaf or blind — a population requiring specialized and resource-intensive educational services — are the direct beneficiaries of this increased appropriation. The bill increases total state expenditures for this program by $356,300 for FY2027.
Overall Assessment
This bill delivers targeted additional funding to Idaho’s Division of Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, with the operative change being the addition of $20,400 from the School for the Deaf and the Blind Endowment Fund alongside a General Fund transfer. While the bill serves a sympathetic and specialized student population, it does not advance the core principles outlined in the evaluation metrics in a meaningful way, resulting in a near-neutral overall score. The one exception is a modest negative impact on fiscal responsibility, as the bill increases state expenditures without a corresponding reduction elsewhere or a demonstrated accountability mechanism.
The bill scores neutrally across nearly all policy areas because its scope is narrow and administrative in nature — it is primarily an appropriations and accounting measure. The negative rating under Responsibility in Government reflects concern that increasing government spending, even for a worthy cause, without clear performance metrics or accountability structures runs counter to principles of fiscal restraint and responsible stewardship of public funds. All other metrics are unaffected by this legislation.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. Responsibility in Government (-1)
The bill's operative change — inserting $20,400 from the School for the Deaf and the Blind Endowment Fund in Section 1 — increases state expenditures from a dedicated fund. Combined with the $335,900 General Fund transfer authorized in Section 2, the bill expands total government spending on this program. While the endowment is a dedicated rather than general revenue source, drawing it down represents a net increase in public expenditure without offsetting reductions elsewhere.
ARTICLE II. Citizen Involvement in Government (0)
This bill is a targeted appropriation for a specific educational program and has no bearing on citizen participation in government, electoral processes, or political engagement.
ARTICLE III. Education (0)
The bill directs additional funds specifically to the Division of Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, a program serving students with significant sensory disabilities who depend on specialized instruction. The $20,400 endowment fund addition in Section 1, alongside the broader $335,900 General Fund appropriation, expands the resources available to support this student population in FY2027.
ARTICLE IV. Agriculture (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to agriculture, farming operations, or related policy.
ARTICLE V. Water (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to water rights, water management, or related policy.
ARTICLE VI. Natural Resources and Environment (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to natural resource management, environmental stewardship, or land use policy.
ARTICLE VII. Energy (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to energy production, regulation, or policy.
ARTICLE VIII. Idaho National Laboratories (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development.
ARTICLE IX. Private Property Rights (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to private property rights, takings, or due process protections for property owners.
ARTICLE X. State and Federal Lands (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to state or federal land ownership, management, or sovereignty disputes.
ARTICLE XI. Wildlife Management (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, or predator control.
ARTICLE XII. Economy (0)
This bill is a narrow educational appropriation and does not address commerce, small business regulation, labor markets, or transportation infrastructure.
ARTICLE XIII. Health and Welfare (0)
Although the bill serves a vulnerable population, it is an education appropriation rather than a health care or welfare policy measure, and it does not affect healthcare delivery systems, insurance markets, or welfare program structures.
ARTICLE XIV. American Family (0)
This bill is an educational appropriation and does not address family structure, parental rights, marriage, or related social policy.
ARTICLE XV. Older Americans (0)
This bill funds educational services for deaf and blind students and has no connection to programs or policies affecting older Idahoans.
ARTICLE XVI. Law and Order with Justice (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to law enforcement, criminal justice, sentencing, or Second Amendment rights.
ARTICLE XVII. National Defense - Securing the Border (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to national defense, military affairs, veterans, or border security.
ARTICLE XVIII. Election of Judges and Idaho Supreme Court Justices (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to judicial selection, court processes, or constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. Religious Liberty (0)
This bill concerns educational funding for deaf and blind students and has no connection to religious freedom, conscience protections, or related legal frameworks.