����������

Idaho House and Senate committee assignments aren’t exactly riveting subject matter to most Idahoans. But for those vested in the state’s high-stakes education battles – like ����������’s Government Relations-Political Action for Education Committee and lobby team – their announcement in December is one of the most important days of the year.����

“House- and Senate-wide votes get all the attention, but committee work is where actual legislating is done,” says ���������� Political Director Chris Parri. “The lawmakers who serve on each committee are the gatekeepers of the legislation we’ll be supporting and fighting this session. And this session will be a bit different than years past.”����

That’s because the balance of power has shifted. For the past two sessions, the House Education Committee was helmed by Rep. Julie Yamamoto, a Republican from Caldwell who was a staunch supporter of public education; the committee’s members tended to be more favorable to public education. Yamamoto lost her primary election in May.��

Previously, the Senate Education Committee tended to be less supportive of ����������’s goals. However, that has changed – this year’s Senate Education committee is made up of lawmakers who tend to be strong proponents of public education.����

“We have built strong relationships over the years with members of both the Senate and House committees,” Parri says. “We’ll continue to work with our allies in the Statehouse to push forward the issues that really matter to ���������� members.”����

2025 Senate Education Committee��

Republicans��

Chair: Sen. Dave Lent, Idaho Falls��

Vice Chair: Sen. Kevin Cook, Idaho Falls��

Sen. James Woodward, Sagle��

Sen. Tammy Nichols, Middleton��

Sen. Cindy Carlson, Riggins��

Sen. Van Burtenshaw, Terreton��

Sen. Christy Zito, Mountain Home��

Democrats��

Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, Boise��

Sen. Carrie Semmelroth, Boise��

��

2025 House Education Committee��

Republicans��

Chair: Rep. Douglas Pickett, Oakley��

Vice Chair: Rep. Dale Hawkins, Fernwood��

Rep. Lance Clow, Twin Falls��

Rep. Ron Mendive, Coeur d’Alene��

Rep. Barbara Erhardt, Idaho Falls��

Rep. Tony Wisniewski, Post Falls��

Rep. Dan Garner, Clifton��

Rep. Jack Nelsen, Jerome��

Rep. Mark Sauter, Sandpoint��

Rep. Kyle Harris, Lewiston��

Rep. Kent Marmon, Caldwell��

Rep. Steve C. Tanner, Nampa��

Democrats��

Rep. Chris Mathias, Boise��

Rep. Monica Church, Boise��

��

��