The bill appropriates a total of $2,430,570,100 from the General Fund to the Public School Income Fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026, with specific allocations aimed at enhancing educational programs across Idaho's public schools. Key allocations include up to $1,570,000 for technology education initiatives to support information technology certifications and skills development for students and faculty. The State Department of Education is required to report on the outcomes of these initiatives, including the number of certificates earned, by January 5, 2026. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions of terms such as "distributed" and "expended" to ensure proper understanding of fund allocation and usage.
Moreover, the bill includes provisions for year-end reconciliation of funds to account for any surplus or deficit in appropriated funds, in line with Idaho Code. It encourages the State Department of Education to pursue competitive acquisition processes for contracts exceeding $25,000 and mandates a report on these contracts by December 1, 2025. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, following the declaration of an emergency. Overall, the bill aims to bolster educational support and resources while ensuring accountability in the use of appropriated funds.