Lawmakers introduce Idaho plan for state-run year-round agricultural guest worker program

Representative Jaron Crane, R-District 12 (Nampa), introduced RS32445, a proposal to create a year-round state-level agricultural guest worker program administered by the Idaho Department of Labor.

Crane said the program would cover farming, ranching, dairy operations and processing of agricultural products and would be available to individuals who reside in Idaho and meet criminal-history and immigration-related eligibility requirements. He told the committee the program would require background checks and fingerprints and would bar applicants who had been previously refused admission to the United States or deported. Crane said permitted workers would have to pay federal and state income taxes and would not gain any change in federal immigration status, citizenship, driving or voting privileges.

Crane described the proposal as intended to address worker shortages after conversations with agricultural stakeholders, and said the state would assign the Department of Labor responsibility for implementing and administering the program. Among the constraints he outlined: permitted workers would not be allowed to drive on public roadways, and conviction of a felony would disqualify a participant.

Committee members pressed for additional detail. Representative Monks asked why construction was not included; Crane said the legislation deliberately starts with agriculture and aims to expand dairy coverage beyond the federal H-2A program. Representative Burch asked how many individuals the program would process; Crane said he did not have a number available at introduction and would provide that information at a full hearing.

A motion to introduce RS32445 passed by voice vote; the committee did not record a roll-call tally. The bill was referred for further committee consideration where eligibility, program size and operational details will be developed.