By Senator Jim Woodward
Idaho District 1
As we wrapped up the fourth week of the session, bills are being printed and heard. A good portion of my focus is hearing the FY26 state agency budgets, where I serve as Vice-Chair of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC).
Balancing the budget is the work of JFAC with daily meetings through the middle of March. The finalized budgets require majority approval by both the House and the Senate and ultimately the Governor. Seeing the checkbook is the best opportunity to understand the inner workings of our state government by hearing, challenging, and understanding the plans from every agency.
If you’re inclined to follow this year’s budget development, this link takes you to the daily committee agenda and a downloadable video of the day’s presentation and discussions.
Earlier last month, the Selle Valley Carden School visited the Capitol. We toured the building and worked our way through a mock hearing. It’s always a pleasure to see familiar faces from up North, and especially fun to teach the students a little about our state government.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I will be participating in a series of Saturday Town Halls during the Legislative Session. I was pleased with the turn-out and discussion of the first of the three that took place. If you missed it, please be sure to join us on at the Bonners Ferry Visitors Center from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 8 and again March 15.
The Idaho Senate voted unanimously to pass House Bill 14, also called the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, on Thursday. The bill requires all Idaho state agencies to review relevant Idaho Code and generate a list of unnecessary or obsolete laws. It also passed the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote.
House Bill 14 is a joint effort by Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle and Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon, who emphasized it as a key step towards reducing state spending. This measure has been regarded as one of Idaho’s many movements toward limiting government involvement in the daily lives of Idahoans.
The bill is now headed to Gov. Brad Little for signing. If allowed to become law, the review must be completed by September 1, 2025. The legislature will review each agency’s recommendations and proposals for removal during the 2026 regular session.
A newly introduced bill aims to standardize policies on cellphone and electronic device use in public schools across the state. Under the proposed legislation, school districts would be required to implement policies that emphasize limiting student cellphone use as much as possible during school hours to minimize distractions and enhance the learning environment.
While many school boards have already enacted similar restrictions, the bill, sponsored by Sen. Treg Bernt (R-Meridian), seeks to ensure that all districts establish clear guidelines. The legislation allows flexibility for districts to tailor their policies to fit their unique needs, acknowledging that different schools face varying challenges.
The committee voted to introduce the bill, marking the first step in the legislative process. If passed, school districts will be responsible for drafting policies that align with the bill’s objectives while allowing room for district-specific adaptations. The proposal reflects a growing concern among educators and policymakers about the role of cellphones in classrooms and their impact on student engagement and academic performance.