REVISED
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS30939 / S1249
This bill creates “teacher spending accounts” to help offset costs educators incur for things like classroom
supplies and materials, and organizational. Idaho teachers spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars, a year
out of their own pockets to provide basic supplies for their classrooms. This bill creates a vehicle to address
that problem by directing the State Department of Education to develop a plan and process to distribute
money directly to teachers to defray costs for classroom-related expenses. None of the funds can be used for
administration at the school or district level, and the money goes straight to the classroom.
FISCAL NOTE
This bill only creates the accounts and does not specify a total amount to be allocated nor a specific amount per
teacher. The bill is subject to appropriation by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee, and JFAC will
determine funding levels. There are approximately 32,348 eligible public school teachers in Idaho. If these
teachers were appropriated $500 each, the total appropriation for the year would be $16,174,000.
Contact:
Senator Scott Herndon
(208) 332-1349
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: 01/26/2024, 1:00 PM