Senate passes bill altering Empowering Parents program; unobligated funds to move to general fund in 2028

Boise, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on April 4 voted to pass Senate Bill 11-42, as amended in the House, changing how the state handles existing awards from the Empowering Parents program and prohibiting new awards under that program.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Blaylock, told colleagues the change responds to concerns that the original measure contained a “hard stop” in July that could have conflicted with parents’ three-year timelines for spending previously awarded funds. Blaylock said the amended bill “states that there will be no new awards granted” and that money in parents’ accounts that is not obligated would remain in a state account until June 2028, when any unobligated funds would move into the state general fund.

The bill was taken up from the suspension calendar after senators voted to suspend rules for immediate consideration. A roll call recorded 33 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 absent or excused; the Senate announced that a majority had voted in the affirmative and that SB 11-42 has passed the Senate.

Sponsors and supporters framed the measure as a technical correction to preserve parents’ three-year spending windows for awards made under earlier program rules. No amendments changing the bill’s funding language were reported on the floor.

After passage, the Senate referred the bill to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for enrolling and later transmitted enrolled paperwork as part of routine enrolling and transmittal work for the day.

Votes at a glance: The motion to suspend rules for immediate consideration was moved and seconded on the floor; final passage vote was recorded as 33 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent/excused.

The Senate also completed routine committee reports and enrollments throughout the day; SB 11-42 was placed on the enrolling calendar after the vote.

The bill’s passage concludes the Senate’s consideration; enrolling and transmittal steps were taken later in the day.