Rep. Todd Achilles

Maddy summaryH 485 raises Idaho's minimum wage to $12 per hour starting July 1, 2025, then to $15 in 2026, and $17 in 2027. It also increases the minimum direct wage for tipped workers to $6 in 2025, $7 in 2026, and $8 in 2027, requiring employers to cover any shortfall if tips plus wages fall below the minimum. The bill allows a temporary $4.25 hourly rate for new employees under 20 during their first 90 days of work. Beginning in 2028, the minimum wage will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index to reflect inflation. This applies to all Idaho employers and employees, with no local jurisdictions allowed to set higher minimum wages.

Maddy summaryIdaho's H 486 repeals existing non-compete laws and creates new rules making most non-compete agreements unenforceable for employees and independent contractors. The bill allows exceptions only for: (1) non-competes tied to business sales or dissolution, (2) agreements covering employees earning $250,000+ annually, and (3) non-solicitation or confidentiality terms (not true non-competes). It also requires disputes to be handled in Idaho courts and allows employees to recover attorney fees if they win enforcement cases. This directly affects most workers and employers in Idaho by limiting restrictive employment contracts, except in the specified situations.