Thank You to Our Sponsor! |
|
Click on the logo to learn how Burgess & Niple can help your team today. |
|
|
|
Idaho Broadband Dig Once and Right-of-Way Act |
|
|
|
|
Amends existing law to require counties to exempt certain property subdivisions from county regulatory requirements. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
Repeals legislative intent language that requires local highway jurisdictions (LHJ) to report how HB312 (2015) funds were used. |
|
|
|
|
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding taxing district budget limitations. |
|
|
|
|
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the careless exposure of barbed wire and to revise penalties. |
|
|
|
|
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding procuring services or personal property. |
|
|
We are happy to have loyal readers, like yourself, who are passionate about Idaho’s transportation system! If you would like to share news or article ideas, please email us at info@iahd.com.
|
|
Idaho Transportation News |
|
Removing Cumbersome Reporting for
Local Highway Jurisdictions
|
|
Last week, the House Transportation and Defense Committee unanimously approved S1231 which seeks to remove the legislative intent language requiring local highway jurisdictions to annually report how HB312 funds (revenue from the 2015 enacted gas tax) have been spent. During the hearing, Sen. Den Hartog explained how the report causes an administrative burden for local jurisdictions while providing little value to the legislature.
S1231 is currently on the House’s 3rd reading calendar. If passed, local highway jurisdictions would be relieved of the cumbersome report while continuing to file a report of expenditures per Idaho Code 40-708.
|
|
JFAC Unanimously Approves Transportation Funding Bill
Last Thursday, JFAC gave the green light to transportation funding in Idaho. The proposal aligns with Governor Little’s Leading Idaho Plan to significantly invest in our state and local roads and bridges. Check our legislative bill tracker throughout the week for a link to the bill once it's available.
|
|
Senator Rice Introduces Large Property Tax Relief Bill |
|
On Friday, Sen. Rice introduced a 41-page bill (H741) that would provide approximately $750 million in property tax relief for homeowners. Additionally, the bill would increase the grocery tax credit by $75, increase the homestead exemption from 1 acre to 5 acres, and create a new stabilization fund.
To pay for such changes, H741 would increase the state sales tax by 1.85%, from 6% to 7.85%. From the increase, 1.65% would be distributed to local units of government, including highway districts, to replace the lost property tax revenue entities would no longer be able to levy for. The remaining 0.2% coupled with $12.2 million in general fund revenue would pay for the higher grocery tax credit.
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted to send the RS to print to keep the conversation going and allow for the public to view the bill. However, many questions remain including the impact on renters, local government entities, and revenue flow during economic downturns. If passed, the bill seeks for an advisory vote in November to see how voters feel about the proposal. Click here to learn more.
|
|
National Transportation News |
|
Committee Hearing or an
Episode of The Jetsons?
Michigan’s Senate Transportation Committee heard bills related to flying cars and delivery robots last week. Bill sponsors stress that legislatures often times “are the last to the party when it comes to looking to the future” and hopes such proposals will prepare Michigan for “advanced air mobility” and autonomous vehicles. Click here to learn more.
|
|
Alabama Lawmakers Work to Stop Trains from
Blocking Railroad Crossings
|
|
Legislation to alleviate trains from blocking intersections passed Alabama’s House last week. Residents particularly in the Birmingham metro area complain about the lengthy stops over roadways that cause numerous traffic problems. The bill would fine the operator a penalty of $5,000 for every hour the train blocks a crossing, up to $50,000 a day. Learn more about the legislation here.
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
Send them an email directly, or contact the Legislative Information Center. They will take a message to your legislator.
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)
Hearing Impaired: 800-626-0471
|
|
- November 15-17, 2022 | Local Transportation Convention (CDA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
