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 possibility of unpaid leave or using accrued personal leave, provided that such leave is available to all employees regardless of union membership. Additionally, the bill amends section 74-402 to reinforce the prohibition against taxpayer funding for teachers unions and introduces civil penalties for public officials who violate these provisions, with fines ranging from $250 to $2,500 depending on the severity of the violation.

Moreover, the bill modifies the evaluation and employment processes for school district personnel, introducing new provisions for using alternative objective measures for student achievement evaluations if the Idaho standards achievement test data is not received on time. It also clarifies the procedures for the employment and evaluation of superintendents, principals, and other certificated professional personnel, including rights during discharge hearings and conditions for involuntary leaves of absence. The bill establishes clearer definitions and requirements for negotiation agreements between school districts and local education organizations, limits the duration of agreements to one year, and prohibits the use of taxpayer funding to promote teachers' unions in a manner that contravenes existing laws. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

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