Idaho Bill would Use Cigarette Tax for School Safety

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A lawmaker education panel has given their approval to a bill giving Idaho school districts more flexibility in using cigarette tax revenue to improve student safety. The House Education Committee sent the school safety bill to the House Thursday morning. The bill allows schools to use cigarette tax revenues for suicide prevention and other student safety efforts, instead of using it solely for substance abuse prevention. It also could reduce the amount of tax revenue the Idaho State Police receives by requiring schools to pay for the actual cost of toxicology tests given to students instead of the flat $250,000 currently in state law. Republican Rep. Rich Wills, who said he felt the bill pulled too much money from the Idaho State Police, was the only vote again the legislation.