House Bill 417 Summary

• Creates Idaho Youth Conservation Corps administered through the Department of Lands with a program director and nine-member advisory committee appointed by legislative and executive leadership.

• Establishes eligibility for Idaho residents ages 13-25, requiring at least 75% of participants to be disadvantaged and at-risk youth, with emphasis on recruiting school dropouts.

• Provides $250 tuition vouchers for participants completing three months of service at any Idaho college, university, career or vocational school.

• Authorizes corps to perform conservation and community service projects including rangeland and wildlife habitat work, urban revitalization, recreational area development, trail maintenance, and emergency disaster assistance.

• Requires projects to comply with state and federal law, not displace existing workers, avoid substituting for federally-funded jobs, and increase employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth.