Senate Bill 1211 - Hire Idaho Act

• Repeals existing Chapter 10, Title 44, Idaho Code and replaces it with new public works contract provisions titled the "Hire Idaho Act."

• Establishes resident contractor preference for public works contracts, requiring contracts be awarded to certified resident bidders if their bid is not more than 5% higher than the lowest nonresident bidder's bid.

• Defines "resident" through six criteria including individuals with 1+ year state residency, partnerships/corporations with resident ownership requirements, and entities maintaining state offices with continuous state employment.

• Limits successful resident bidders to subcontracting no more than 25% of contract work to nonresident contractors and requires preference for Idaho labor, materials, and agricultural products of equal quality in public contracts.

• Subjects contract preferences funded with federal funds to applicable federal law and regulations, and applies the act to all contracts entered into after the effective date.