Idaho House Committee Advances E-Verify Bill Targeting Government Contractors

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho House committee moved forward this week with legislation that would require state and local governments — along with large government contractors — to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm that employees are authorized to work in the United States. The bill now heads to the full House floor for potential amendments before any final vote.

The House Business Committee voted Friday to advance Senate Bill 1247 to “general orders,” a procedural step that allows the full Idaho House of Representatives to propose and vote on amendments to the legislation. The move signals that while there is momentum behind the bill, lawmakers want room to refine its scope before sending it to the governor’s desk.

What the Bill Would Require

As currently written, SB 1247 would mandate E-Verify use for all state and local government entities and for private companies that contract with those government entities — provided those companies employ 150 or more workers and hold contracts valued at $100,000 or more.

E-Verify is a federal web-based system operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that allows employers to electronically confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired workers by comparing information from an employee’s Form I-9 against government records.

Rep. Josh Wheeler, a Republican from Ammon who presented the bill before the committee, described SB 1247 as an “incremental step along the E-Verify path,” noting that the Idaho Legislature has taken up multiple measures this session aimed at reducing the employment of unauthorized workers in the state.

Wheeler said the threshold was intentionally set to target larger businesses, explaining that companies meeting the 150-employee and $100,000 contract threshold are “the most likely to have existing HR departments with the capacity to handle some of the administrative burdens that the E-Verify system may impose on them.” Smaller businesses, he argued, may lack the staffing infrastructure to comply with the program without significant disruption.

Broader Legislative Push on Unauthorized Employment

SB 1247 is one of several immigration-related workforce bills making their way through the Idaho Legislature this session. Lawmakers have also introduced a bill that would require all private employers — regardless of size or government ties — to use E-Verify statewide. A separate proposal would create a new misdemeanor criminal charge for any employer who knowingly hires workers who are in the country illegally.

Those broader proposals have drawn significant pushback from Idaho industries that depend heavily on immigrant labor, including dairy farming, construction, and the service sector. Agriculture and food processing represent major pillars of Idaho’s economy, and the Magic Valley region — home to Twin Falls County and one of the state’s most productive farming corridors — has a substantial workforce tied to those industries.

Industry leaders and trade associations have argued that universal E-Verify mandates could create serious labor shortages at a time when many sectors are already struggling to find enough workers. Opponents contend that the administrative requirements and potential workforce disruptions outweigh the benefits, particularly for small and mid-sized businesses.

By limiting SB 1247 to government employment and large government contractors, supporters hope to thread the needle — demonstrating a commitment to employment verification standards without triggering the same level of opposition that broader mandates have faced.

During Friday’s committee hearing, Rep. Brent Crane, a Republican from Nampa, proposed an amendment that would gradually lower the employee threshold over time, effectively expanding the bill’s reach to smaller companies on a phased timeline. The suggestion reflects a desire among some lawmakers to use SB 1247 as a starting point for more comprehensive requirements down the road. Rep. Kyle Harris of Lewiston made the formal motion to send the bill to general orders, opening the door for the full House to weigh in on potential changes.

For Twin Falls County residents and Magic Valley employers who contract with local government agencies, SB 1247 could carry practical consequences depending on how the final version of the bill is shaped. Large contractors working on public infrastructure projects, school district contracts, or county government agreements could face new compliance requirements if the legislation passes.

For statewide coverage of Idaho’s legislative session and immigration policy debates, visit Idaho News. Additional reporting from across the Idaho News Network is available at IdahoNewsNetwork.com.

What Comes Next

Senate Bill 1247 now moves to general orders in the Idaho House, where the full chamber can propose and vote on amendments before the bill advances to a final floor vote. If the House adopts changes, the amended bill would need to return to the Senate for concurrence before heading to Gov. Brad Little for his signature. Lawmakers and lobbyists representing Idaho’s agriculture, construction, and service industries are expected to continue weighing in as the amendment process unfolds in the coming weeks.