LABOR – Adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Guest Worker Program.

H 297 establishes Idaho's state-level Guest Worker Program, allowing year-round agricultural employers (like dairy farms) to hire undocumented workers through a state-administered permit system. The bill requires applicants to be 18+, reside in Idaho, have no felony convictions, and pay state/federal taxes, while prohibiting driving on public roads. Employers must apply for "permitted employer" status, and the Idaho Department of Labor administers the program, including background checks and permit renewals. The program aims to address labor shortages in sectors not covered by federal H-2A visas, with provisions effective January 2026.