Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 27th, 2026

Senate Education Committee

Key Moments

  • Dave Lent — Speaker cited Senator Lent as saying Idaho has a '1906 model' in a modern era.
  • Dave Lent — Dave Lent is referenced in a discussion about education policy and reform: first as the chairman, then as someone who has pointed out that the current system is outdated, and finally as a senator the speaker has met with to discuss ideas for reshaping and rethinking education.
  • Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz is greeted and thanked by the chair and Representative Tanner, then responds in the ongoing discussion about data and school funding. The exchange continues with references to her earlier point that the funding formula is difficult to understand, keeping the focus on the same policy issue.
  • Dale Hawkins — Chairman Hawkins was addressed with a question about spending versus revenue.
  • Dale Hawkins — Chairman Hawkins is addressed throughout a continuous budget discussion in which the speaker continues responding to questions about budget growth and revenue streams.
  • Dale Hawkins — Representative Marmon addresses the chair while asking about JFAC work groups.
  • Clay Handy — Co-chair Tanner was addressed in the question about state spending and revenue.
  • Clay Handy — Clay Handy is referenced in a brief chair/co-chair exchange, including a likely misheard reference to Co-Chair Tanner and a subsequent address to a representative, with no clear change in topic between the two mentions.
  • Clay Handy — Representative Tanner is directly addressed in a continuing exchange: first, Representative Marmon questions Tanner, and later the speaker again refers to Tanner, calling him Chairman Tanner and praising the questions raised. These mentions are part of the same discussion and can be treated as one moment.
  • Kent Marmon — Representative Marmon asks whether JFAC work groups can make recommendations regarding overspending or eliminating programs, and the response confirms that they can.
  • Kent Marmon — Was addressed in response to a question about JFAC work groups and budgeting norms.
  • Douglas Pickett — The speaker thanks Representative Pickett after concluding the dyslexia example.
  • Douglas Pickett — The next speaker is responding to Representative Pickett.
  • Douglas Pickett — Was addressed in discussion about reviewing the history of policies and how they came through the body.
  • Douglas Pickett — Was thanked and referenced in discussion about policy layers and possible sunset provisions.
  • Douglas Pickett — Addressed in discussion about policy history and possible sunset provisions.
  • Douglas Pickett — Referenced in the ongoing discussion about policy improvement and committee action.
  • Douglas Pickett — Thanked at the close of the dyslexia funding example and policy discussion.
  • Douglas Pickett — Praised the JFAC co-chair for challenging the committee to evaluate policy effectiveness.
  • Douglas Pickett — Addressed as part of the discussion about policy effectiveness and committee responsibility.
  • Douglas Pickett — Called on again at the end of the section.
  • Mark Sauter — Representative Sauter was called on as the discussion turned to budget cuts and planning, and he asked what would come from the recent JFAC dialogue regarding budget cuts and whether the House Education Committee would receive a plan.
  • Tony Wisniewski — Addressed directly in discussion about revisiting programs and funding formulas.
  • Barbara Ehardt — Acknowledged as the next speaker.
  • Jack Nelsen — Called on by the chair for a final comment.
  • Jack Nelsen — Referenced as the speaker transitions to follow up on his point.
  • Chris Mathias — Called on to ask a quick question.
  • Chris Mathias — Asked about access to mental health resources; the response references funding mechanisms such as 988 and behavioral health programs.
  • Mr. Bybee — Speaker noted that Mr. Bybee is not present.