On May 25, President Bush signed a spending bill that, among other things, amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the federal minimum wage in three steps: to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007; to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.

The Idaho Legislature passed House Bill 184 this past session that states that Idaho’s minimum wage will conform to the federal minimum wage.  It will also take effect July 24, 2007.  In addition, the Idaho Legislature froze the wage for tipped employees at $3.35 per hour, and it will not increase as the minimum wage does.  However, employers are still required to show that tipped employees are earning at least the new minimum wage when tips are included. 

New required minimum wage posters will be available soon from the Idaho Department of Labor on our Web site at www.labor.idaho.gov/wh.