Governor Acts on Final Session Bills

Governor Brad Little signed legislation restricting taxpayer support for teachers’ unions Friday, closing out action on the final measures from the 2026 legislative session despite expressing reservations about the bill’s language and scope.

House Bill 516 prohibits the use of public funds to support teachers’ union activities. Little’s office received 1,592 communications urging him to sign the measure and 1,007 asking for a veto, according to spokeswoman Joan Varsek.

Governor Cites Concerns While Approving Measure

In a two-page signing statement, Little acknowledged multiple problems with the legislation. He noted that “some of the new definitions in the bill are overly broad and ambiguous and will lead to increased scrutiny of a teacher’s actions purely based on their affiliation with their local association.”

The bill defines prohibited union activities broadly, including supporting or opposing candidates, promoting union membership, participating in union events, and engaging in negotiations. Critics argued the expansive definition effectively silences organized labor in education.

Little also warned the measure could have a “chilling effect” on collaboration between unions and school districts on training programs and charitable activities. He described these partnerships as “real and valuable activities that exist to improve the competency of our educators and, in turn, student outcomes.”

Legislative Process Draws Scrutiny

The bill underwent significant changes in the final days of the session. Initially focused on instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation, the measure was completely rewritten on the Senate floor March 30 to address union funding instead.

The Senate approved the reworked bill April 1, and the House passed it April 2, the session’s final day. Critics questioned whether the rapid transformation bypassed normal committee procedures and denied the public opportunity to testify on the revised language.

Little did not address procedural concerns in his signing statement. Varsek said the governor “was focused on the substance of the bill” and consulted with the Idaho Education Association and other interested parties.

Primary Election Looms

The governor’s decision comes less than six weeks before Idaho’s May 19 Republican primary. Little faces voters as he seeks another term in office.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, also a Republican, vetoed similar legislation in March, calling it an imported solution to a nonexistent problem. The Freedom Foundation, based in Washington state, promoted anti-union bills in both states.

Little indicated in his signing statement that he hopes lawmakers will refine the bill’s language in future sessions.