Don Hall — Explained that adults can use Ideal accounts for their own education and that K-12 withdrawals have grown steadily.
Don Hall — Concluded this portion by emphasizing the value of education savings and the role of Ideal in reducing funding gaps.
Don Hall — Explained how Ideal coordinates with other Idaho education programs and scholarships.
Don Hall — Described the College of Western Idaho Boost partnership and introduced a new CSI matching program.
Don Hall — Announced a similar matching program at CSI and shifted to employer participation goals.
Don Hall — Explained payroll direct deposit benefits and employer tax incentives for contributing to Ideal accounts.
Don Hall — Described the employer tax credit and its use as a recruitment and retention tool.
Don Hall — Reported employer participation totals and noted federal changes to 529 plans.
Don Hall — Asked the committee to help promote the program locally and noted the Roth rollover reduced a key barrier to account opening.
Don Hall — Concluded his presentation and stood for questions.
Don Hall — Explained the program’s outreach strategy, including statewide advertising and school outreach.
Don Hall — Listed outreach channels including sports sponsorships, libraries, newsletters, chambers, and social media.
Don Hall — Received the outreach suggestion and thanked the senator.
Julie Oberley — Julie Oberley is introduced as a board representative present at the meeting, representing the state controller or state superintendent of public instruction on the board.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking praised the program, noted her own use of it for her grandkids, and asked whether the upfront tax credit could also be combined with a state tax deduction or deposited into a 529/Ideal account. She then requested a follow-up verification to confirm whether that option is possible.
Ms. Hall — Answered that the upfront tax credit and Ideal contributions are separate and said she did not think the tax credit could be deposited into the Ideal account.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent is addressed as Mr. Chairman while presiding over the opening of the meeting and the initial procedural business, including the motion and vote on the minutes. He is later addressed again as Chairman Lent by a witness in a separate exchange.
Dave Lent — Addressed as Mr. Chairman during the closing exchange.
Kevin Cook — Not yet speaking in this section, but the motion request is directed to the committee before his later motion.
Kevin Cook — Moved to accept the minutes for January 28, 2026.
Kevin Cook — Moved to accept the pending and temporary rules presented by the State Board of Education and the Division of Career Technical Education.
Carrie Semmelroth — Moved to approve the minutes of January 29, 2026.
Tammy Nichols — Moved to approve the minutes from February 2, 2026.
Tammy Nichols — Senator Tammy Nichols first acknowledged the presentation, then asked how the program is being promoted and whether outreach is mainly through social media or schools. She followed up by suggesting that kids’ fairs around the state could also be used as an outreach opportunity for the program.
Don Hall — Introduced as Executive Director of the Ideal Idaho College Savings Program and invited to present.
Don Hall — Introduced himself and began testimony on the Ideal Idaho 529 education savings program.
Don Hall — Continued his presentation on the Ideal Idaho College Savings Program and highlighted 2025 performance and regional growth.
Don Hall — Described outreach efforts statewide and reported that about 12% of Idaho students under 18 have a loved one saving for them.
Don Hall — Explained beneficiary age ranges and encouraged early account opening for young children.