Idaho bill aimed at establishing framework for responsible use of AI in schools passes senate
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IDAHO FALLS – A new bill aimed at establishing a framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in public schools passed the Idaho Senate and is advancing to the House.
SB 1227 was approved on Monday with 26 votes in favor and eight against. Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, is sponsoring the bill with Rep. Jeff Ehlers, R-Meridian.
The purpose of this legislation, according to its statement of purpose, is to “help Idaho schools use emerging technologies thoughtfully – preparing students for the future while protecting privacy, preserving local control, and keeping teachers central to the learning process.”
“AI tools are already being used in classrooms, school offices, and educational software. These tools can help personalize learning, support teachers, and better prepare students for future jobs,” it says. “This bill directs the State Department of Education, with approval from the State Board of Education, to develop a statewide framework for the responsible use of AI in K-12 education.”
It focuses on safety, transparency, accessibility and human oversight and is intended to guide local decision-making. The bill requires local school districts and public charter schools to adopt policies on how AI may be used by students and staff.
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In a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com, Sen. Cook, who is a software engineer by profession, explains his motive behind this bill.
“I want our kids to learn AI. I want Idaho to lead the nation in AI, and I believe we can do it. We’ve got Micron and Idaho National Lab; super smart people in Idaho,” Cook says.
Cook helped pass similar legislation in 2024 that made AI-generated pornography illegal.
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Cook says the critical message of SB 1227 is to help people understand that AI is a helpful tool that enhances — not replaces — human research.
He says he’s spoken with dozens of people in every major industry across the state to get an idea of how AI is currently being used and what people are concerned about.
“We met probably six or seven times,” says Cook.
Cook says some people have expressed concern that using AI will make it easier for kids to cheat or plagiarize other people’s work. These are issues that have existed with technology that’s been around for decades, Cook explains.
Cook’s argument in favor of AI is that it helps develop critical thinking and prepares students for the future workforce.
“If you want your kid to understand the Revolutionary War or Constitution of the United States, AI will bring every library in the world at their fingertips,” Cook says. “Not all of (the information) will be true, but they’ll have to figure that out.”
There are always bugs to work out when new technology emerges, he says, but AI is here, whether people like it or not, and we need to learn to use it appropriately and responsibly.
“AI is changing so fast that in five or 10 years, our kids will have jobs that don’t exist right now,” says Cook. “Let’s put our arms around it and figure out how to do it.”
During a legislative hearing last week, Kimberly Gardner with the Idaho Workforce Development Council spoke in favor of SB 1227, praising its “measured approach” in promoting AI literacy.
“It’s an important step in preparing Idaho’s future workforce,” Gardner said. “Across nearly every industry in Idaho … AI enabled tools are part of everyday work. In most cases, employers are not looking for AI experts. They’re looking for workers who understand what these tools are, how to use them appropriately and when human judgement must take precedence. These are now baseline standards.”
Idaho Education Technology Association board member William Goodman also spoke in favor of the bill, along with Idaho Technology Council Chairman Reid Stephan. Two members of the public testified in support of the bill. No one spoke in opposition.
Others who support it include the Idaho State Board of Education, Idaho Dept. of Education, Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Association of School Administrators.
Sen. James Ruchti of Pocatello, eastern Idaho’s sole Democrat, voted in support of the bill. The eight lawmakers who voted against it are all Republicans.
SB 1227 was referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday. Cook anticipates it will be amended before it becomes law.
“We’ve got in there that the State Board of Education needs to set the standards, (which is the normal procedure for anything related to education). People on the other side say legislators have the final say, which is true. They want that stated in the bill,” says Cook.
WATCH THE COMMITTEE HEARING IN THE VIDEO ABOVE