REVISED
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS28281 / H0022
This legislation removes a dated section of the education funding formula in 33-5208. The State Department
of Education identified this section of the code as having an unintended consequence during the pandemic by
limiting the growth in support units for charter schools. More than 5,600 Idaho public school students will
be negatively and immediately impacted unless this bill is passed with an emergency clause and retroactive
provision to allow adequate funding of these students for the current school year. An unprecedented number of
Idaho families have turned to alternative learning models during the pandemic. Virtual options have become
critical to continue student learning for many and will likely remain a viable option for many Idaho families.
The support unit cap in 33-5208 was adopted as part of the general appropriations bill in the 2005 legislative
session in response to unexpected approval and opening of a new charter school that was approved after the
state’s budget had been set for the 2005 session and that opened that fall. Since the time the support unit cap was
added to the law, processes and deadlines have been put into place within the charter school petition process.
The limitation imposed by 33-5208 no longer serves the original purpose because adequate notice is provided
for in the charter petition process.
FISCAL NOTE
For fiscal year 2021 removing the 30 support unit cap will result in 69.33 55.53 additional support units, at a
total appropriation increase of $7,662,900 $6,137,700. There are two charter schools impacted with the cap:
Idaho Virtual Academy and Inspire Connections charter schools.
Contact:
Representative Lance Clow
(208) 332-1000
Suzanne Budge, SBS
(208) 345-6632
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN REVISED: 03/03/2021, 2:13 PM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-5208
Engrossment 1: 33-5208