Transportation

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1325: MOTOR VEHICLES – Amends and adds to existing law to establish a white and black license plate.

S 1325 establishes a new special license plate option in Idaho featuring white and black design. It creates a specific fee structure: a $70 initial fee and $50 annual fee for owners who choose this plate, with funds going to the state highway account to cover administration costs. This bill directly affects vehicle owners who select this special plate design, adding it as an optional choice alongside existing special plates. The legislation amends Idaho Code to include this new plate program under section 49-417G.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill generates $70 initial/$50 annual fees for white/black license plates, directing funds to state highway account for infrastructure administration, directly funding transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 17, 2026

H 694: RULES OF THE ROAD – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the failure to use safety restraints as evidence in civil actions to limit an injured party’s damages.

H 694 (Idaho Code § 49-673) prohibits using failure to wear a seatbelt as evidence in civil lawsuits involving car accidents. Specifically, it states that not wearing a safety restraint cannot be considered evidence of negligence or used to reduce an injured party's damages. This directly affects accident victims seeking compensation in court, ensuring their seatbelt status won't impact their claim. The bill also includes minor procedural updates to seatbelt enforcement rules but focuses primarily on this civil evidence change. The law will take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill prohibits using seatbelt non-use as evidence in accident claims, enhancing vehicle safety compliance and protecting victims' rights under transportation safety regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 20, 2026

H 671: SALES AND USE TAX – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding a sales and use tax rebate for certain developers of certain retail complexes.

This Idaho bill (H 671) creates a 60% rebate on sales taxes collected by qualifying retailers in new retail complexes. Developers must spend at least $4 million on the complex and fund approved highway improvements costing over $5 million (like interchange upgrades) to qualify. The rebate, capped at $35 million per project, is paid from a new state fund and requires developers to submit documentation to the tax commission within two years of completing eligible transportation work. It directly affects retail developers and participating retailers in qualifying projects.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax rebate for developers, matching 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator per topic guidelines.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires highway improvements ($5M+) as condition for tax rebate, directly funding transportation infrastructure through developer commitments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Roads & Highways

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 18, 2026

H 663: LICENSE PLATES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding agriculture license plates.

H 663 amends Idaho law to allow agriculture license plates to feature unique designs highlighting Idaho farming, approved by the Food Producers of Idaho, Inc. and the Idaho ag in the classroom program, instead of following standard plate design rules. It adjusts fee distribution: $10 from the initial plate fee and $10 from annual renewals go to the state highway fund, while the remainder supports agricultural education programs. The bill affects farm vehicle owners (typically those with vehicles under 26,000 pounds gross weight) who use these specialty plates, with changes taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects $10 plate fee remainder to agricultural education programs, explicitly funding curriculum initiatives through Idaho ag in the classroom program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs $10 plate fees to state highway fund, directly funding transportation infrastructure as part of fee distribution.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

passed · Idaho · House Mar 6, 2026

H 626: IMPACT FEES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding minimum standards and requirements for development impact fees ordinances.

H 626 revises Idaho's rules for local governments imposing development impact fees on new construction projects. It requires fees to be calculated based on actual or estimated infrastructure costs (like roads or water systems) directly tied to new development, not exceeding a project's fair share. The bill mandates clear written explanations for fee calculations, allows developers to request individual assessments using supporting data, and requires fees to fund specific improvements within the project's service area. It also permits exemptions for affordable housing projects if they're in the local comprehensive plan and funded by other sources. The changes primarily affect local governments creating fee ordinances and developers paying these fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates impact fees align with actual infrastructure costs, promoting fiscal responsibility and transparency in local government spending on development projects.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates development impact fees fund specific infrastructure improvements tied to roads, ensuring fees cover actual transportation infrastructure costs rather than being arbitrary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 766: DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES – Amends existing law to revise a definition regarding which governmental entities are authorized to adopt development impact fees.

H 766 amends Idaho Code to revise the definition of "governmental entity" in development impact fee law. The bill explicitly specifies that cities, counties, single countywide highway districts, fire protection districts, and ambulance service districts are authorized to adopt development impact fee ordinances. This change directly affects these local government units by clarifying their authority to impose fees on developers to fund public infrastructure. The bill does not alter fee calculation methods, project requirements, or infrastructure types covered - only the list of entities permitted to implement the fee system.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExplicitly authorizes highway districts to adopt development impact fees for infrastructure funding, directly supporting transportation infrastructure projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 665: MOTOR VEHICLES – Amending existing law to revise provisions regarding Appaloosa license plates.

H 665 revises Idaho's Appaloosa license plate program by adjusting fees and directing funds. It requires a $35 initial fee and $25 annual renewal fee for these special plates, with $10 from each fee going to the state highway account and $25 (initial) or $15 (renewal) transferred to the Appaloosa horse club foundation. The funds must exclusively support youth horse programs and horse-related education in Idaho. This bill affects vehicle owners who choose Appaloosa plates, which are available for most registered vehicles (excluding heavy trucks over 26,000 pounds). The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDirects $10 from license plate fees to state highway account, funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 16, 2026

HCR 26: WILDLIFE CROSSINGS – States findings of the Legislature and supports wildlife crossings.

HCR 26 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Idaho Legislature's support for wildlife crossings. It states that wildlife-vehicle collisions endanger public safety and cause significant property damage, while noting that infrastructure like overpasses and underpasses can reduce collisions by over 80% and protect migration corridors for species like mule deer and elk. The resolution encourages state and local governments to collaborate on identifying priority sites for such crossings and to adopt policies preserving migration corridors. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing efforts to enhance public safety and wildlife conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly supports wildlife crossings to protect migration corridors for species like mule deer, reducing collisions and advancing conservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes wildlife crossings (overpasses/underpasses) to reduce vehicle collisions by 80%, directly enhancing highway safety and transportation infrastructure per Idaho Legislature resolution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 24, 2026

H 751: SALES AND USE TAX – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding a sales and use tax rebate for certain developers of certain retail complexes.

This bill revises Idaho's sales tax rebate program for developers of retail complexes. It allows developers to receive a 60% rebate on sales taxes collected by qualified retailers within their complex, provided the developer spent at least $4 million on approved transportation improvements (like highway projects costing over $5 million). The rebate is paid from a new "demonstration pilot project fund" and capped at $35 million per transportation project. This directly affects developers building retail complexes who make qualifying transportation investments, not the retailers or general consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 60% sales tax rebate to developers meeting transportation spending requirements, creating targeted tax relief through a dedicated fund.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requires $4M+ transportation spending for tax rebates, directing funds toward infrastructure via new pilot fund95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Roads & Highways

failed · Idaho · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 1340: RULES OF THE ROAD – Amends existing law to require drivers to drive in the right-hand lane on multilane highways unless passing and to provide penalties for driving in the left-hand lane of a controlled access highway and impeding the flow of traffic.

Idaho's S 1340 amends traffic laws to require drivers on multilane highways to use the right-hand lane unless passing, preparing for a left turn, or overtaking slower vehicles. It specifically prohibits driving in the left lane when not passing, and mandates that vehicles moving slower than normal traffic must stay in the right lane to avoid impeding faster vehicles. Violations - including driving slowly in the left lane - carry a $75 fine under amended sections 49-630 and 49-655 of the Idaho Code. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and includes signage requirements to inform drivers.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enforces traffic safety rules to improve highway flow and prevent congestion by mandating proper lane usage, directly advancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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