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HJR 1

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that the people of the state have a right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dean Fisher

HJR 1 sought to empower parents by removing mandatory school attendance laws, allowing them to educate their children without government oversight, but it failed to pass.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HJR 7.
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Bill Summary · HJR 1

Summary of HJR 1 - Education Amendment Proposal

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HJR 1
Title: Education Amendment to the State Constitution
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Status: Read Third Time in Full – FAILED (46-23-1)
Floor Sponsor: Representative Dale R. Hawkins
Classification: Joint Resolution
Subjects: Education, Children, Parents, Schools and School Districts

Purpose and Intent

HJR 1 proposes an amendment to the Idaho State Constitution aimed at redefining the state's approach to education. The primary intent of the bill is to remove existing language that allows the Legislature to mandate school attendance and to establish a constitutional right for parents to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools.

Key Provisions

The proposed amendment seeks to:
1. Remove Compulsory Attendance Language: Eliminate the provision that allows the Legislature to require children to attend public schools from ages six to eighteen, unless they are educated by other means.
2. Establish Parental Rights: Introduce language that explicitly states the right of parents to educate their children without undue government regulation outside of public schools.

Proposed Text Changes

  • Current Language: The Legislature may require by law that every child shall attend the public schools of the state.
  • Proposed Language: The right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of the public schools of the state shall not be infringed.

Impact

Who Would Be Affected?

  • Parents and Guardians: The amendment would empower parents to choose educational methods for their children without government interference, potentially increasing options for homeschooling and alternative education.
  • Legislature and Educational Institutions: The bill would limit the Legislature's ability to enforce compulsory public school attendance, which may lead to changes in how education is regulated in Idaho.

Fiscal Considerations

The estimated cost for publishing the proposed constitutional amendment and related arguments is up to $300,000. This cost would be incurred as part of the requirements for the November 2026 general election ballot.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • January 30, 2025: Bill introduced and referred for printing.
  • February 13, 2025: Reported out of Committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.
  • February 14, 2025: Filed for second reading.
  • February 19, 2025: Read third time in full and ultimately failed with a vote of 46 AYES, 23 NAYS, 1 ABSENT.

Conclusion

HJR 1 aimed to significantly alter the educational landscape in Idaho by enhancing parental rights in education and reducing government oversight. However, the bill did not pass the legislative process, reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding education policy and parental rights in the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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