A New Year, A New Legislative Session
Your Voice Matters
Happy New Year.
On January 12, 2026, the Idaho Legislature will gavel in for a new session. I’m stepping into this year optimistic, focused, and ready to work—but also clear-eyed about the challenges ahead.
Idaho is growing fast. Growth is a blessing, but it also puts pressure on our schools, our water supply, our energy systems, and our state budget. The decisions we make this session will shape Idaho not just for today, but for decades to come.
That’s why this session must be guided by common sense, transparency, and your input. Government works best when it listens to the people it serves.
📌 Table of Contents
Jump to a Section
- Education First: Preparing Idaho’s Students for the Real World
- Smarter School Facilities: Classrooms Over Architecture Showcases
- Budgeting With Discipline: Strengthening the State’s Budget Process
- Water: Idaho Can’t Sit Back — Why the Time to Act Is Now
- Energy and Nuclear: Powering Idaho’s Future
- A Final Word — And a Request
Education First: Preparing Idaho’s Students for the Real World
Education remains one of my top priorities. This year, I will serve as Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and my goal is straightforward: support teachers and prepare students for success in the real world.
That means:
Strong reading and math skills early
Career and technical education tied to real jobs
Giving teachers practical tools—not more red tape
Respecting parents and preserving local control
Education is not just a classroom issue. It is a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a long-term quality-of-life issue for Idaho.
But today, preparing students for the real world also means addressing a new reality: artificial intelligence.
Why AI Education Matters for Idaho’s Kids
Artificial intelligence is already part of everyday life—even if we don’t always notice it.
AI helps farmers manage crops and water. It helps doctors review medical images. It helps power plants balance the electric grid. It helps businesses plan, design, and compete. Nearly every industry Idaho depends on is already using AI in some form.
The students sitting in Idaho classrooms today will graduate into a world where AI is woven into almost every job.
Ignoring that reality would leave them unprepared.
But embracing AI without rules would be just as careless.
That is why Idaho must lead—not by rushing ahead, and not by putting its head in the sand—but by acting thoughtfully and responsibly.
Guardrails Before Gas Pedals
Technology rarely waits for permission. It moves fast—often faster than the rules or understanding meant to guide it. Artificial intelligence is no exception.
Across the country, schools are reacting in real time, sometimes without clear direction. Idaho is choosing a better path.
Rather than rushing ahead or slamming on the brakes, Idaho is putting guardrails in place before hitting the gas.
This session, I will be introducing the Artificial Intelligence in Education Act, which establishes a clear, statewide framework for the responsible use of AI in Idaho’s K–12 public schools.
The goal is not to chase trends or replace teachers.
The goal is to protect students, support educators, inform parents, and prepare kids for the future.
Teachers Stay in Charge — Technology Is a Tool
One thing is non-negotiable: teachers remain the heart of every classroom.
AI does not replace teachers. It does not replace relationships, judgment, or accountability. It is a tool—nothing more.
Used responsibly, AI can:
Help personalize learning
Assist with tutoring or practice
Support translation or accessibility
Free up time so teachers can focus on students
Used irresponsibly, AI can create confusion, shortcuts, and privacy risks.
That is exactly why teachers must be trained and supported—not left to figure this out on their own.
Helping Students Understand AI — Not Just Use It
Teaching AI is not about adding more screen time. It is about building critical thinking.
Under this approach:
Younger students learn that AI is not alive and does not think or feel
Older students learn that AI can make mistakes or reflect bias
High school students learn how to use AI ethically and responsibly, with clear expectations
Students learn when AI can help—and when it should not be used.
This helps prevent cheating, builds digital responsibility, and prepares students for life after graduation.
What the Artificial Intelligence in Education Act Does
This legislation creates a clear statewide framework while preserving local control and parental involvement.
1. Statewide AI Framework
The State Department of Education will develop a statewide AI in Education Framework, approved by the State Board of Education.
It prioritizes transparency, safety, data security, accessibility, and human oversight, and it will be reviewed and updated annually.
2. AI in Education Committee
A 14-member advisory committee—including legislators, educators, industry leaders, technology experts, and parents—will provide guidance. Meetings will be open to the public.
3. Local School Policies
Every district and public charter school will adopt its own AI policy aligned with the framework. Local school boards remain in charge.
4. AI Literacy Standards and Teacher Training
Students will learn what AI is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly. Teachers will receive professional development so they are supported—not overwhelmed.
5. Parental and Community Transparency
Parents will receive clear information. Schools must publish approved AI tools, policies, and guidance on their websites.
6. Procurement and Vendor Safeguards
Vendors must disclose how their tools work and how student data is protected. All tools must comply with privacy laws.
7. Statewide AI Specialist
A statewide AI specialist will help schools implement the framework, ensure compliance, and advise state leaders.
The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Keeping Kids Safe by Getting Out in Front of AI
The safest approach to AI in schools is not ignoring it—it is leading it.
Clear rules protect student privacy.
Training protects teachers.
Transparency protects parents.
Education protects students.
By acting early, Idaho is shaping the future instead of reacting to it.
As Tim Cook has said, “AI will be one of the most important technologies of our lifetime, but it has to be built responsibly, with privacy, security, and trust at the center.”
That balance—innovation with responsibility—is exactly what Idaho is working to achieve.
Why This Matters to Idaho
Education shapes everything that comes next.
Preparing students for an AI-driven world strengthens Idaho’s workforce, protects our economy, and supports national security. Countries around the world are racing to lead in AI. The United States must win that race—and preparation starts in our classrooms.
Clear rules do not slow progress.
They build trust.
And trust allows innovation to move forward with confidence.
Guardrails before gas pedals.
That’s how Idaho prepares students—and leads the nation forward.
Smarter School Facilities: Classrooms Over Architecture Showcases
I am also serving on the Model School Facility Committee, and this work may have one of the biggest long-term impacts on education funding in Idaho.
School construction costs have risen sharply. Too often, taxpayers are paying for one-of-a-kind school designs when what students really need are safe, functional, well-designed classrooms.
Our goal is simple: build schools smarter.
The committee is developing standardized, “cookie-cutter” school designs for elementary, middle, and high schools that:
Are proven and functional
Can be reused across the state
Reduce design and construction costs
Put dollars into classrooms—not architectural showpieces
These designs are voluntary, not mandatory. No school district will be required to use them. Local control remains fully intact.
Standardization Already Works — We See It Every Day
We already accept standardized buildings because they work.
Think about Costco, Walmart, McDonald’s, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their buildings follow standardized plans, yet they still reflect local character.
Take McDonald’s as an example. Compare the McDonald’s in Park City to the one in Idaho Falls. The kitchen layout is the same. The systems are the same. The efficiency is the same. But the outside reflects local style.
Schools can work the same way.
We can use the same proven blueprints, while still allowing local communities to add hometown touches—materials, colors, entrances, landscaping, and design features that reflect local pride.
Where the Real Savings Are
One of the biggest cost drivers in school construction is architecture and design fees, which typically run between 8% and 11% of a project.
That means:
A $50 million school can spend $4–$5.5 million just on design
A $100 million school can spend $8–$11 million
By reusing proven designs instead of starting from scratch every time, Idaho can save millions of dollars per school—money that can go directly into:
Classrooms
Learning technology
Teacher support
Career and technical education
This is about redirecting dollars from drawings to learning.
Standardized Does Not Mean One-Size-Fits-All
These designs will still be adjusted for:
Soil conditions
Snow load
Geography and elevation
Lot orientation and sun exposure
Those are normal engineering adjustments—not full redesigns. The expensive part, the core layout, stays the same.
What We’re Doing Right Now
The Model School Facility Committee is currently developing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that will go out to architecture firms. We are asking firms to show us how they can:
Develop standardized, repeatable school designs
Lower costs without sacrificing safety or quality
Allow for local customization
Help Idaho build schools faster and smarter
We are looking for partners who understand that great schools don’t need to be architectural trophies—they need to be effective learning environments.
Why This Matters to Idaho
Every dollar saved on construction is a dollar that can go into the classroom. Standardized school designs reduce long-term costs, protect property taxpayers, speed construction, and keep education funding focused on students and teachers.
Budgeting With Discipline: Strengthening JFAC Rules
One issue I am working on this session doesn’t always make headlines, but it affects every Idaho taxpayer: how Idaho builds its state budget.
To do the work the state needs us to do, JFAC—the Joint Finance–Appropriations Committee—must clearly define the rules it follows. That may sound obvious. Every committee should have rules. But since 2024, JFAC has operated without officially adopted rules.
That lack of structure has real consequences.
During the 2025 legislative session, committee meetings were stopped multiple times while members tried to determine what actions were allowed and what were not. Instead of debating policy or improving budgets, we were debating process. Confusion, delay, and frustration followed—and taxpayers deserve better than that.
Why Rules Matter in Budgeting
Rules exist for a reason. They protect the authority of the full committee and ensure that decisions are made openly, fairly, and consistently.
A few weeks ago, a new draft of JFAC rules was released. Unfortunately, that draft did not follow a recognized legislative process. That raised concerns because a committee chair is meant to guide the work of the committee—not control it.
The power of JFAC does not come from who holds the gavel. It comes from the members acting together. Clear, written rules protect that balance and prevent unilateral decision-making.
Revenue Comes First — Just Like a Household Budget
One of my greatest concerns is how JFAC has handled state revenue forecasting.
In any household, the first step is to figure out how much money is coming in. Only then do you decide what you can afford to spend. You don’t start spending and later decide how big your paycheck should be.
But for the past two years, that is exactly what happened at the state level.
For two consecutive years, JFAC failed to adopt a revenue forecast before building state budgets. Idaho’s Constitution requires a balanced budget, which means we must know our expected revenue before committing to spending.
Instead of working through differences and setting a revenue number, JFAC spent more than 90% of anticipated funding before finalizing the forecast. The result is where we find ourselves today—facing a deficit and scrambling to make cuts, not because Idaho lacks resources, but because we failed to follow a disciplined process.
For decades, Idaho followed a simple, proven approach:
Set the revenue
Then approve budgets
We must return to that approach.
A Tough Year Requires Smart Cuts — Not Paper Cuts
This year’s budget challenge is even greater.
The Governor has asked agencies to plan for a 3% holdback, which represents a significant reduction for most state programs, except K-12 education. While balancing the budget is necessary, how we cut matters just as much as how much we cut.
Some cuts look good on paper but end up costing Idaho more in the long run. If a cut leads to higher costs in emergency rooms, jails, foster care, or shifts expenses to local governments and property taxpayers, then it is not a smart cut—it’s just a delayed bill.
I am committed to finding real savings, eliminating waste and inefficiency, and avoiding cuts that simply move costs to another part of government.
Tax Policy and Revenue Uncertainty
Another issue affecting our budget is whether Idaho should conform to changes in the federal tax code. These decisions can significantly impact state revenues.
JFAC members have again heard the suggestion that we cannot set state revenue until the House tax committee acts. That may be true. But if revenues are unsettled, then no state budgets should move forward.
Spending money before revenue decisions are made creates risk, confusion, and instability.
Putting the Rules in Writing
To fix these problems, I support strengthening JFAC rules and putting them in writing. These rules help ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness.
The proposed rules include:
Rule 18: A quorum of JFAC must vote on and adopt a complete set of budgeting rules before any appropriations, transfers, or commitments are made
Rule 19: A quorum must approve changes in employee compensation before funding decisions
Rule 20: A quorum must adopt a revenue estimate for the current year and a projected estimate for the next year before spending
Rule 21: JFAC Co-Chairs serve strictly as facilitators; any changes to procedures must be approved by the full committee
Rule 22: Certain legislative leadership positions may not serve on JFAC
Rule 23: Chairs and vice-chairs of standing committees may serve on JFAC
Rule 24: Standing committee chairs may serve on JFAC but may not serve as JFAC Co-Chairs
These rules are not about power—they are about process.
Why This Matters to Idaho
Idaho has always taken pride in being careful with taxpayer dollars. Families and small businesses don’t spend money they don’t have—and state government shouldn’t either.
Clear rules:
Prevent last-minute budget surprises
Reduce waste and inefficiency
Protect taxpayers from hidden or delayed costs
Build trust in government
When budgeting is done the right way—openly, carefully, and with discipline—Idaho is stronger.
If we return to a responsible process, respect legislative precedent, and work together as a full committee, Idaho will meet this challenge and be better prepared for the future.
Water: Idaho Can’t Sit Back — Why the Time to Act Is Now
Everywhere I go across Idaho, I hear the same question:
“What water problem? I just drove across the Snake River, and it was full.”
Please—don’t let appearances fool you.
On my drive home from Boise the first week of October, I stopped at Shoshone Falls, one of Idaho’s most iconic landmarks. What should have been a roaring cascade was little more than a trickle—maybe enough water for one or two families.
That moment said everything.
What you see on the surface does not tell the full story of what is happening underground—or what is happening later in the year when Idaho needs water the most.
This Is Not Just an Agriculture Issue — It’s an Idaho Issue
Water is the backbone of Idaho’s communities and economy.
Yes, agriculture depends on water—and I strongly support Idaho farmers. But water is also critical for:
Cities and drinking water
Fire protection
Industry and jobs
Power generation
Recreation and tourism
Future housing growth
Since 2004:
Idaho’s population has grown from about 1.3 million to 2.0 million people
Roughly 55,000 new domestic wells have been drilled
If each irrigated just ½ acre, that’s 27,500 acres
At maximum use, those homes could pump about 400,000 acre-feet of water per year
That is not theoretical demand—it is real water leaving the system every year.
What’s Really Happening on the Snake River
South of Twin Falls sits Milner Dam. During the summer months, the Snake River is often completely diverted into the North Side and South Side Canals for irrigation. Behind the dam, the riverbed itself can be bone dry.
Several miles downstream, the river reappears—fed by springs pouring out of the canyon walls.
Those springs are not magic.
They are the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer bleeding back into the river, trying to replace what has been drained away. And that aquifer is under serious stress.
The Aquifer: The Numbers Tell a Clear Story
For decades, withdrawals from the aquifer have exceeded natural recharge.
Here’s what the data shows:
Average decline of ~215,000 acre-feet per year since the 1950s
More than 14 million acre-feet lost cumulatively
Long, hot summers increase demand
Shorter, warmer winters reduce snowpack and natural recharge
Reduced flood irrigation has cut incidental recharge
Recharge projects help—and Idaho has invested heavily in them—but recharge without storage is not enough.
As one hydrologist put it plainly:
“Recharge and storage go hand-in-hand. We have the water—we just need to improve how we manage it.”
Right now, we are bailing faster than we can refill.
Water We Lose Every Year Because We Can’t Store It
Each spring, Idaho experiences large runoff events.
But because we lack sufficient storage:
Between 1.4 and 2 million acre-feet of water flows down the Snake River every year
That water passes through Idaho and flows out to the ocean
Not because we don’t need it
But because we can’t hold it
In spring, reservoirs are full.
By late summer, they are nearly empty.
As of this fall:
American Falls Reservoir is around 3% full
Palisades is near 7%
We are pulling water from Jackson Lake just to get by
This is not a cycle.
This is a system under strain.
Four Years of Shutoffs — A Warning Sign
For four years in a row, Idaho farmers have seen:
Pumps shut off
Canals and ditches closed
Crops stressed under extreme heat
Wells struggling to keep up
This affects food prices, rural jobs, and local economies. And it signals something important:
We are no longer managing abundance. We are managing scarcity.
The Ririe Dam Curve — A Fix We Must Address
One immediate issue we must tackle is the Ririe Dam flood control curve.
Current rules require Ririe Reservoir to be drawn down early and kept lower than necessary to protect against rare flood events. That means:
Water is released when it could safely be stored
Spring runoff is lost downstream
Storage that could help later in the season is unavailable
Modern forecasting, modeling, and weather data allow us to manage flood risk more precisely. Updating the Ririe curve rule would allow us to store more water safely while still protecting downstream communities.
This is not reckless. It is smart, modern water management.
Washington, D.C. — Asking for Help, Keeping Control
In November, we returned to Washington, D.C. to meet with Idaho’s federal delegation.
They are listening—but they need to hear from Idahoans.
Federal help can be valuable, but it always comes with strings. Idaho must stay in charge of its water destiny. That means having a clear plan, broad public support, and projects ready to move forward.
Water will be a central issue in this legislative session.
Beyond One Dam — A Portfolio Approach
The name “Teton Dam” still stirs strong emotions. For some, it recalls tragedy. For others, unfinished opportunity. But focusing on one project alone misses the bigger picture.
Idaho’s water future must be built on multiple projects working together:
Raising existing dams where it makes sense
Building smaller reservoirs that can come online sooner
Improving storage that supports aquifer recharge
Studying larger projects with modern science, safety, and public input
No single project solves this. Together, they create resilience.
750K by 2100 — A Vision Built in Stages
Our long-term goal is clear:
Add 750,000 acre-feet of new surface storage by the year 2100.
That may sound large—but it is achievable when done in stages:
Short term (next 10 years):
Smaller reservoirs
Canal enlargements
Modest dam raises
Outlet works that support recharge
Mid-range (10–30 years):
Medium-sized projects with larger payoffs
Fully vetted through studies and community input
Long term (30–75 years):
Large-scale additions—including Teton as an option—only if modern studies prove they can be built and operated safely
This phased approach spreads cost, reduces risk, and delivers benefits sooner.
Why Storage Helps Everyone
More storage means:
Reliable late-season water for farms and cities
More water available for managed aquifer recharge
Reduced flood risk in wet years
Stronger recreation, tourism, and local economies
Better planning for future growth
Think of places like American Falls, Palisades, and Island Park—where water storage, recreation, and community all work together.
Thinking Beyond Our Own Time
In the 1920s, the people of American Falls moved their entire town so future generations could have water. Churches, schools, and businesses relocated uphill—not for themselves, but for us.
They were planning 70 to 80 years ahead.
Now it’s our turn.
As Governor Brad Little has said:
“Maintaining a strong ag economy while preserving water for future generations is part of our strategy to maintain Idaho’s water destiny.”
And as Lt. Governor Scott Bedke warned:
“If we wait, we will be managing shortages instead of opportunities.”
Why This Matters to Idaho
Water is Idaho’s lifeblood.
When the water stops:
Farms stop
Cities struggle
Jobs disappear
Growth stalls
Idaho has never waited for others to solve our problems. We build. We plan. We lead.
If you believe in Idaho’s future, add your voice.
Visit KeepIdahoWater.com and sign the petition.
Idaho must act now—because when the water stops, so does Idaho.
Idaho’s Nuclear Legacy — Where It All Began
What if I told you Idaho powered the first nuclear light bulb?
On December 20, 1951, just outside Arco, Idaho, the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I (EBR-I) generated electricity from nuclear energy for the first time. Four 200-watt light bulbs lit up—quietly launching a new era of power.
A few years later, Arco became the first city in the world powered entirely by nuclear energy.
That moment marked Idaho’s place in history: nuclear innovation was born here.
Today, Idaho is home to Idaho National Laboratory (INL)—the nation’s premier nuclear research lab and one of the most important energy assets in the United States.
As INL leadership has repeatedly emphasized, Idaho is not just studying nuclear energy—we are designing, testing, and proving the next generation of reactors that will power America’s future.
Why We Need Nuclear Energy Now
The question I hear most often is simple: Why nuclear?
The answer is also simple: because nothing else can do what nuclear does at the scale we need.
Artificial intelligence, data centers, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, and national defense systems require massive amounts of electricity—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These systems cannot shut down when the wind stops blowing or the sun goes down.
Renewables play an important role—but they cannot do it alone.
Nuclear energy provides:
Reliable, always-on baseload power
Clean, carbon-free electricity
Long-term price stability
Energy independence and security
Today, nuclear power provides about 19% of U.S. electricity and more than half of America’s carbon-free energy. Without nuclear, the lights don’t stay on—and innovation slows.
That’s not just an economic issue.
It’s a national security issue.
Modern Nuclear Is Not Yesterday’s Nuclear
When people raise safety concerns, they often think of old designs from decades ago. But nuclear technology has changed—dramatically.
Modern reactors, especially Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, are designed with:
Passive safety systems that shut down naturally without human intervention
Smaller, simpler designs that reduce risk
Factory-built modules that improve quality and lower costs
Enhanced fuel handling and containment
As nuclear experts at INL often note, safety is built into the design from day one, not added later.
Every system is tested, reviewed, regulated, and monitored—by the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and independent experts.
Nuclear today is safer, cleaner, and more efficient than ever before.
Small Modular Reactors: A Game Changer
The future of nuclear is not just big plants—it’s SMRs and microreactors.
These smaller reactors:
Can be scaled to match local and regional needs
Reduce construction risk and cost
Are ideal for pairing with data centers, military bases, and industrial sites
Strengthen grid resilience
The federal government has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to support SMR development because leaders understand what’s at stake.
Idaho, with INL already testing advanced reactor concepts, is a natural hub for:
Research and development
Licensing and regulation
Workforce training
Manufacturing and deployment
With the right workforce, infrastructure, and public understanding, Idaho can become the Silicon Valley of clean nuclear energy.
Energy, AI, and National Security
Artificial intelligence is transforming everything—from medicine to manufacturing to defense. But the biggest constraint on AI is not computer chips.
It’s energy.
Data centers are energy-hungry. They require massive, steady power every second of every day. Without strong nuclear capacity, AI growth will be throttled—and America risks falling behind.
As national leaders have warned, whoever leads in AI will shape global power for decades.
That is why energy policy and national security are now inseparable.
Idaho’s nuclear leadership helps ensure:
America remains competitive
Critical infrastructure stays secure
Innovation happens here—not overseas
Idaho Is Uniquely Positioned to Lead
Very few states can say this—but Idaho can:
We were first
We have INL
We have the talent
We have the testing ground
We have the history and the trust
As President Trump has said repeatedly, America must be energy dominant, not energy dependent. Nuclear energy is a key part of that strategy.
And as the U.S. Secretary of Energy has emphasized, advanced nuclear is essential to meeting future power demand while maintaining security and reliability.
Idaho doesn’t just fit into that vision—we anchor it.
Why This Matters to Idaho
Reliable energy keeps electricity affordable, attracts high-paying jobs, supports rural and urban communities, and strengthens national security.
If Idaho leads in nuclear energy:
Our kids have access to high-tech careers
Our economy stays strong
Our nation stays secure
Innovation stays American
Idaho has always been a builder state. We don’t wait—we lead.
From lighting the first nuclear bulb to shaping the next generation of power, Idaho’s role in America’s energy future is not optional—it is essential.
And that is why nuclear energy is not just about power.
It’s about freedom, security, and the future we leave our children.
A Final Word — And A Request
Every issue this session comes back to one principle:
Do the hard work now so Idaho families don’t pay more later.
Strong schools.
Smart budgets.
Secure water.
Reliable energy.
Transparent government.
Now I need your help. Tell me what issues matter most to your family and community.
Your experience matters.
Your voice matters.
And I am listening.
It is an honor to serve you—and to work together for Idaho’s future.
Appreciate your updates. Please reconsider tax cuts made in prior years that have been the primary cause of the current budget shortfalls. We can’t keep cutting taxes (which mostly benefit the wealthy) that lead to cutting services and programs for our kids, communities, and the neediest among us.
Great job!