House Education Committee Chairwoman Julie Yamamoto (R-Caldwell) delivers a rousing pro-public education speech to IEA members at Lobby Day Dinner during IEA’s Lobby Day 2023. She was defeated in the 2024 primary, and her absence will be felt by public education advocates.
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 Idaho Education Association’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 IEA 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 IEA’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 IEA 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