WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJM 11

EDUCATION – States findings of the Legislature and calls on Congress to pass and fully fund legislation that fulfills the 40% federal funding commitment in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

Idaho urges Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at the promised 40% federal commitment level to reduce state budget burden.

Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
#acts #disabilities #personswith #federallawsandrelations #funds #houseofrepresentatives #legislature #memorials #senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJM 11

Legislative bill overview

HJM 11 is a non-binding memorial that expresses the Idaho Legislature's position to Congress, calling for full federal funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the promised 40% level. The bill documents legislative findings about the current federal funding shortfall and formally petitions Congress to increase appropriations to meet the original commitment made when IDEA was enacted.

Why is this important

IDEA requires states to provide special education and related services to students with disabilities, but the federal government has historically funded only about 15-16% of the costs, leaving states to cover the remaining 84-85%. This funding gap places significant financial pressure on state and local school budgets, potentially reducing resources for general education or other services. Idaho's memorial aims to amplify state-level frustration with this unfunded mandate and join other states in lobbying Congress for equitable federal responsibility.

Potential points of contention

  • Feasibility concerns: Congress has never fully funded IDEA at 40% despite decades of requests; the memorial may be viewed as symbolic rather than actionable
  • Budget realism: Full federal funding would require substantial Congressional appropriations that may face opposition from fiscal conservatives or competing federal priorities
  • Implementation questions: The bill doesn't address how increased federal funding would be distributed among states or whether it would meaningfully reach individual school districts

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

Sign in to ask a question.