AFP-Idaho Praises Gov. Little for Signing Portable Benefits Legislation

Mar 25, 2026 by AFP

Boise, ID — Americans for Prosperity-Idaho (AFP-ID) praised Gov. Brad Little for signing House Bill (HB) 645, allowing hundreds of thousands of independent contractors and self-employed workers in Idaho to access portable benefits usually reserved for traditional employees.

Portable benefit accounts are used by workers to purchase benefits like life or unemployment insurance. HB 645 establishes portable benefit accounts as being owned by workers rather than entities, meaning that independent contractors have greater access to healthcare and income-replacement protections.

AFP Western Regional Director Heather Andrews gave the following statement:

“Governor Little and the Legislature deserve a huge thank you for swiftly passing and signing this bill. Entrepreneurs and independent contractors deserve the same access to these benefits as traditional employees. By codifying this reform, those freelance workers now have a level playing field when it comes to accessing their critical benefits, further empowering them to strike out on their own and build their own businesses in Idaho’s growing economy.”