HB 516 began as a bill restricting LGBTQ+ instruction in schools. On March 30 — the 78th day of the session — Sens. Brian Lenney and Cindy Carlson used a "radiator cap" maneuver to replace the entire bill text with anti-union language from HB 745, a bill that had been stalled in committee for weeks.
Under HB 516, Idaho school districts would be prohibited from: deducting union dues from teacher paychecks via payroll; providing paid time off for union activities (without IEA reimbursement); using district property or staff time for union business including negotiations; providing employee contact information to unions beyond what federal law requires; communicating on behalf of the union; or allowing union members to become exclusive bargaining representatives.
Civil penalties: Any union member or district employee who violates the law faces fines of $250 for a basic violation, $1,500 for a knowing violation, and $2,500 for a third violation.
The Idaho Education Association called it a bill designed to "punish IEA for its perceived politics." Sponsor Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Nampa) said it addresses whether "Idaho taxpayers should be forced to fund the administrative operations of a private, Washington, D.C.-based political organization." IEA disputes that any taxpayer funds flow to the NEA.
The bill's legislative path drew as much attention as its substance. HB 745 — an earlier anti-union bill by Rep. Judy Boyle — passed the House but was held in the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee by chairman Sen. Dan Foreman (R-Moscow), who refused to give it a hearing.
Senate Education Chairman Dave Lent (R-Idaho Falls) made a motion on March 31 to send HB 516 to his committee for a proper public hearing. His motion failed 16-19 — an on-the-record vote that forced senators to publicly endorse or reject the radiator cap maneuver. Lent then voted NO on final passage.
In the House, Rep. Lori McCann (R-Lewiston) similarly moved to send the bill back to House Education. That motion failed 20-45.