Without discussion, the House Tuesday voiced its support for the Boise State University women’s volleyball team — and its opposition to transgender athletics policies.

The nonbinding House Concurrent Resolution 2 does not carry the force of law. However, it does urge the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference to rescind its transgender participation policies.

The resolution’s sponsor, Idaho Falls Republican Rep. Barbara Ehardt, spent much of her brief debate praising the “great courage … and great integrity” of the Boise State volleyball team. But Ehardt also chided NCAA President Charlie Baker for failing to act on the issue, when 25 states, including Idaho, have offered direction by passing laws banning transgender athletes from playing in women’s sports.

Last fall, Boise State became a flashpoint in the polarized national transgender athletics debate. The volleyball team forfeited three matches with San José State University — which, according to court filings and media reports, had a transgender athlete on its roster. The third and final forfeit came during the Mountain West’s postseason tournament. This ended Boise State’s season and, said Ehardt, cost Boise State a possible chance at qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

No lawmakers debated for or against the resolution, which passed on a 61-8 party-line vote. (House Assistant Minority Leader Steve Berch, D-Boise, was absent. Afterwards, Berch said he would have voted no — in part, because the resolution urged the NCAA and the Mountain West to revoke, and not review, their transgender policies. He  also said he assumed he would be back on the House floor in time for a vote, and was surprised when Republicans requested a roll call vote on the resolution.)

HCR 2 now heads to the Senate.

JFAC drills into the State Board’s rapidly growing budget

The State Board of Education is adding staff and expanding its reach — and on Tuesday, legislative budget-writers had a few pointed questions.

Some questions focused on a big, high-profile line item — a $15 million proposal to expand workforce training programs. Other questions dug into an obscure $350,000 request to bolster a higher ed independent study program.

All told, Gov. Brad Little has requested $72.4 million for the State Board office. That translates to an increase of $16.8 million, or 30%.

The workforce training program accounts for almost all of this increase.

Little wants to create a grant program for in-demand career programs, with an industry match.

The match would require Idaho businesses to put “some skin in the game,” State Board Executive Director Joshua Whitworth said. And ultimately, that would drive the new and expanded programs on the two- and four-year campuses.

Rep. Wendy Horman, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee’s vice chair, pressed Whitworth for details. The Idaho Falls Republican said she wanted a list of training programs that would qualify for grants.

The State Board budget proposal includes more than a dozen line items. The Independent Study Idaho line item drew close scrutiny Tuesday.

Established in 1973, the program has evolved into an online program. But according to a state summary of the budget proposal, the program needs more tweaking. “The current business model of the program does not allow for extensive one-on-one student support or new curriculum development.”

Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian, and Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, questioned the need for the program, noting that only 1,228 students have completed independent study courses over the past three years.

Petzke also asked Whitworth about the State Board’s growing staff. In 2022-23, the office had about 61 full-time positions. Next year’s budget request would bring staffing to about 89 positions.

“It does seem like we’re adding a lot … to centralized leadership,” Petzke said.

Whitworth said the hires — in school safety, risk management and auditing — are designed to help the State Board take a more holistic look at the education system.

JFAC took no action on the budget proposal, but could set the State Board’s budget late next week.

Bill targets classroom flags that create a ‘distraction’

A bill banning the display of most flags in public school classrooms resurfaced Tuesday. 

Last year, the House Education Committee rejected an identical bill over technical concerns, after it cleared the Senate with bipartisan support. 

Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, introduced the new version. He told House Education that it would ensure the United States and Idaho flags would be the primary flags allowed in public school classrooms.

“Any other flags that represent any other political, ideological or religious entity are a distraction,” he said.  

The bill has a lengthy list of exceptions on top of the American and state flags, including “official” flags representing:  

• Counties, colleges, universities, school districts and other political subdivisions within Idaho.
• Other U.S. states.
• Military branches. 
• Foreign nations.
• Native American tribes. 
• School mascots.
• Achievements recognized by the Idaho Department of Education.

The bill likely will return to the House Education Committee for a public hearing in the coming weeks.