The Idaho Senate Thursday approved legislation Thursday that would allow the Idaho Public Employees Association (IPEA) to offer awards to public employees that would include gifts of up to $500.  The legislation requires changes to the state corruption and bribery statute to allow the non-profit IPEA to give the awards.  Read IdahoReporter.com’s first story on the legislation here.

The Senate also approved legislation that would exclude substitute teachers from the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).  “This will save school districts money,” said Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert.  Substitute teachers not under contract with a district wouldn’t be part of PERSI.  That would save the school districts and the employees from paying into PERSI during each pay period.  Cameron said most substitute teachers would prefer keeping the 6 percent of their paycheck that would go to PERSI.  Read IdahoReporter.com’s first story on removing substitutes from PERSI here.

Both pieces of legislation now head to the governor for his consideration.