The proposed bill amends various sections of the Idaho Code to prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for supporting teachers unions. A new section, 74-408, is introduced, which explicitly forbids public officials from using taxpayer money to promote teachers unions through actions such as deducting union dues from employee pay, providing additional compensation for union activities, or distributing union communications. The bill also outlines specific conditions under which professional employees may engage in union activities, including the use of personal leave and the requirement for unions to reimburse school districts for time spent on representational activities. Additionally, the bill reinforces the prohibition against taxpayer funding for teachers unions in section 74-402 and clarifies definitions related to teachers unions in section 74-403. Civil penalties for violations are established in section 74-406, with fines ranging from $250 to $2,500, and the bill declares an emergency with an effective date for its provisions.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the evaluation and employment of school district personnel, particularly focusing on the performance evaluation process. It stipulates that if student data from Idaho's standards achievement test is not received within 30 days of the evaluation deadline, districts must use alternative objective measures for performance evaluations. The bill also outlines procedures for employing superintendents, principals, and other certificated personnel, including evaluation requirements and processes for suspending or discharging employees. New provisions regarding negotiation agreements between school boards and local education organizations emphasize good faith negotiations and establish clear definitions for terms such as "professional employee" and "negotiations." The agreements must have a one-year duration, and the bill includes a severability clause to ensure enforceability of remaining provisions if any part is deemed invalid. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 74-402, 74-403, 74-406, 33-513, 33-1271, 33-1272, 33-1275