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Idaho Legislative Update

- Bill Tracker -

Bill Number

Description

IAHD Position

H640

Idaho Broadband Dig Once and Right-of-Way Act

Monitor

H643

Amends existing law to require counties to exempt certain property subdivisions from county regulatory requirements.

Opposed

H741

Amends and adds to existing law to provide property tax relief for owner-occupied homesteads, increase the grocery tax credit, and raise the sales and use tax rate to provide replacement funding for local tax areas.

Opposed

H772

Relates to the appropriation to the Idaho Transportation Department for fiscal year 2023.

Support

S1231

Repeals legislative intent language that requires local highway jurisdictions (LHJ) to report how HB312 (2015) funds were used.

Support

S1249

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding taxing district budget limitations.

Monitor

S1345

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the careless exposure of barbed wire and to revise penalties.

Monitor

S1359

Relates to the appropriation to the Idaho Transportation Department for fiscal year 2022.

Support

S1379

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding procuring services or personal property.

Support

Visit our website to see all bills IAHD is tracking

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Idaho Transportation News

$200M Investment in Idaho's Local Bridges

We are pleased to announce that the legislature has approved S1359 which allocates funds for children and pedestrian safety, the state aeronautics program, GARVEE debt, and our local bridges! With this bill, $200 million will be dedicated to repair or replace local bridges through the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program (LILBP). With these funds, LILBP seeks to fix one-third of the 428 local bridges that are currently in poor condition or posted for load weight limits. This significant investment will continue to help Idahoans and our economy for decades to come. Many thanks go to Governor Little, our state legislators, and local leaders for their efforts to pass this piece of legislation. Learn more about S1359 and appropriations within the bill by following this link.

Raising the Procurement Threshold

Last week, Senator Anthon introduced Senate Bill 1379 which seeks to raise the threshold for when political subdivisions must follow the procurement process when purchasing items or services.   The procurement process requires political subdivisions to solicit 3 or more bids when purchasing personal property or services. Currently, the threshold is set at $50,000 however, S1379 accounts for the rising cost of goods/services and inflation, raising the threshold to $75,000.   On Friday, the Senate State Affairs committee unanimously approved to send the bill to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation.

Both Chambers Unanimously Support Relieving Administrative Burden S1231, which seeks to relieve local highway jurisdictions from cumbersome reporting of HB312 funds has unanimously passed both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature.

ITD Prepares to Use New Machine to Increase Efficiency

This spring, the Idaho Transportation Department will use a new machine to pick up trash along Interstate 90 between Washington and Coeur d’Alene. The new machine will expedite the trash collection process - taking only 2 operators 5 hours to complete the job. Traditionally, collecting trash by hand takes 5 operators working together for 8 hours.  Although the melted snow has exposed several months worth of trash piled up, the department is waiting for the median to become less muddy before rolling out the new equipment. Click here to learn more.

National Transportation News

Oregon Legislature Designates $7M for Wildlife Crossings

For the first time, Oregon lawmakers have approved $7M for building and maintaining wildlife crossings in the state. This step will increase habitat connectivity for Oregon’s wildlife and species that travel long distances and cross dangerous highways. Click here to learn more.

Idaho's Transportation Committees

Keep track of each chamber's transportation committee by following the links below. On the webpage, you may download meeting agendas, virtually tune into meetings, see committee members, and much more.

Senate Transportation Committee

House Transportation Committee

How to Contact Your Legislator

There are several ways to contact your legislators! Click the button to find out who your representative is. It's easy, just put in your address and receive their contact information.

Find My Legislator

Send them an email directly, or contact the Legislative Information Center. They will take a message to your legislator. E-mail: idleginfo@lso.idaho.gov (session only) E-mail must contain the sender’s name and address. To help us forward your message appropriately, please include your legislator’s name and/or legislative district. Phone Numbers: (session only) Local: 208-332-1000 Toll Free: 800-626-0471 Hearing Impaired: 800-626-0471

Upcoming Events

November 15-17, 2022 | Local Transportation Convention (CDA)