Senator Camille Blaylock - District 11

As the legislative session comes to a close, I want to begin with a heartfelt thank you. Serving the people of District 11 is one of the greatest honors of my life. Every vote, every bill, and every long day on the floor is made worthwhile by the trust you've placed in me to represent your values and your priorities.

This session, I carried 11 bills across the Senate floor. Of those, 9 were signed into law, 1 stalled in committee, and 1 failed on the floor by just a single vote - a tough loss, but a good reminder that in a functioning democracy, every vote truly counts.

Most of the bills I carried originated from House colleagues, agencies, or industry partners — aimed at improving efficiency and addressing specific needs. But 2 of those bills, I initiated — developed from the ground up, built consensus around, and navigated through every stage of the legislative process. I’m proud to report that both were signed into law. Below is an overview of those 2 bills (Senate Bill 1142 and Senate Bill 1102) along with a snapshot of meaningful progress made this session to make Idaho stronger, freer, and more prepared for the future.

Senate Bill 1142  |  From Emergency Relief to Entitlement
Why Now Was the Time to End the Empowering Parents Program
  

Senate Bill 1142 repeals the Empowering Parents Grant Program which began during the COVID-19 emergency. At the time, it served an important purpose—helping families adapt to school closures with resources like tutoring, curriculum, and internet services. But in the years since, the program has shifted dramatically. Today, it costs Idaho taxpayers $30 million annually. And the most recent data is concerning:

• Over 80% of spending now goes to electronics—mostly laptops and tablets.
• Less than 5% of funds are spent on tutoring, classes, or educational support.
  
  

What started as an academic lifeline has turned into a taxpayer-funded slush fund.

As I voted on budget after budget this session, one thought kept coming back to me: we can’t keep adding new programs without being willing to make cuts elsewhere. That’s not sustainable budgeting—it’s wishful thinking with a price tag. If we’re serious about fiscal responsibility, then we have to be just as committed to ending programs as we are to creating them.

That’s why I chose to carry SB1142 to repeal the Empowering Parents Program. I didn’t bring this bill because I thought the program was evil or useless—far from it. I brought it because the program served its purpose during a crisis, but that crisis is over. Schools are open. Learning is back in the classroom. Continuing this program now doesn’t reflect a clear need—it reflects an unwillingness to let go.

Repealing this program wasn’t easy—there were blockers at every turn, and I knew it wouldn’t win popularity contests. But saving Idahoans $30 million every single year was the right thing to do. That’s what responsible governance looks like: knowing when to say “enough,” and having the courage to follow through.

Click Here to Watch SB1142 & Debate on the Senate Floor

"In my short 5 years in the legislature, this is the first time I've ever seen an entitlement program repealed or attempted to be repealed." - Senator Ben Adams, D12

Senate Bill 1142  |  Cutting Red Tape, Not Corners
Clearing the Way for Senior Living to Expand in Idaho

This session, I brought stakeholders together to confront a growing challenge in Idaho - ensuring we have enough residential care and assisted living options for our rapidly aging population. Senate Bill 1102 cuts through bureaucratic red tape and brings real-world relief to the care providers serving our seniors. Here’s what the bill does:

• • Shifts penalty fees away from state coffers and back to providers—so instead of handing over fines, facilities can reinvest in improving care.

• • Reduces paperwork and eliminates duplicative processes that bogged down providers and distracted from patient care.

• • Allows for more flexible staffing—letting administrators oversee multiple facilities and easing unnecessary burdens on nurses and caregivers.

• • Mandates survey scheduling, so inspections aren’t a surprise ambush but a process aimed at collaboration and quality.
  
  

The support for this bill was overwhelming. One Idaho care provider, who operates multiple facilities, wrote:

 

“There are many more pros to this bill. We would not be trying to get it passed if it did not help us take better care of our residents and at the same time relieve the burden from the department. There is a huge need.”

That message was echoed in email after email, call after call. This bill was a win—for seniors, for providers, and for smarter government. It was an honor to champion this effort and see it through to the Governor's desk.

Because the Media Rarely Reports the Good Things..
Here's a List of solid Idaho Wins from the 2025 Legislative Session

In a world where headlines are usually doom and gloom, I want to share some highlights—concrete wins from this year’s legislative session that protect our freedoms, strengthen our communities, and reflect the values of District 11:

• • Delivered the largest tax relief in state history by lowering income tax rates, giving more property taxes back to homeowners, and increasing the grocery tax credit. All in, money back to taxpayers this session totals over $400 million.

• • Kept Idaho a marijuana-free state by increasing fines and taking steps to ensure elected officials control future cannabis policy.

• • Increased funding for early literacy programs in schools and created new education options for homeschoolers, microschools, and private school families.

• • Protected our agricultural future by securing farmland, investing in water infrastructure, and helping ranchers recover losses from livestock depredation.

• • Secured medical freedom by ensuring know one is forced to be vaccinated or wear a mask.

• • Refocused education on learning, not agendas by clarifying DEI policies for universities, strengthening free speech on campus, ensuring political neutrality in schools and government buildings, and securing privacy in girls’ locker rooms.

• • Protected our children by passing stronger laws against indecent exposure and child predators.

• • Tightened laws to address homelessness, stopping illegal encampments and empowering cities to act.

• • Cracked down on welfare fraud—limiting misuse of public assistance and securing efforts to remove soda and candy from food stamp eligibility.
  
  

My goal is to serve District 11 with integrity and thoughtfulness. I know not every vote I cast made everyone happy—but please know that every decision was well-researched, carefully considered, and made with the best interests of our community in mind.

I’ll continue doing my best to navigate tough issues on your behalf, but I can’t do it alone—your input is essential. Email is the best way to reach me, and I make it a priority to read and respond to every message.

During the interim, I look forward to continuing conversations, meeting with constituents, and staying closely connected to the needs and concerns of our district.

Thank you for the continued opportunity to serve District 11.

- Camille Blaylock

cblaylock@senate.idaho.gov