Transportation (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

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

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 716: TRANSPORTATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding apportionment of the Highway Distribution Account, to remove a limitation regarding revenues received from fuel taxes, and to revise a provision regarding the distribution of the tax on special fuels.

This bill revises how Idaho distributes transportation funding from the Highway Distribution Account. It gradually increases the share going to local governments (from 38% to 40% by 2025) while increasing the state highway account share (from 57% to 60%), and eliminates the law enforcement account's allocation. Crucially, it removes a restriction preventing fuel tax revenues (including fees from electric/hybrid vehicles) from being used for highway funding. These changes adjust existing fund distribution formulas without creating new taxes or programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill removes restrictions on using fuel tax revenues for highway funding and reallocates existing tax distributions to prioritize highway infrastructure, promoting efficient fiscal management of transportation budgets.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill eliminates law enforcement account allocation within transportation funding, directly defunding law enforcement which falls under criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases highway funding allocations (local 38%→40%, state 57%→60%) and removes restrictions on using fuel tax revenues for transportation infrastructure, directly advancing highway funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · Idaho · House Jan 28, 2026

H 535: TRANSPORTATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding apportionment of the Highway Distribution Account, to remove a limitation regarding revenues received from fuel taxes, and to revise a provision regarding the distribution of the tax on special fuels.

H 535 revises Idaho's transportation funding formulas to adjust how highway account revenues are distributed. It increases the percentage of funds going to local governments from 38% (2021) to 40% (2025+) while decreasing the state highway account share from 57% to 60%, and eliminates a restriction on using fuel tax revenues. The bill also updates allocations for local bridge inspections and special fuel taxes. These changes directly affect local governments receiving highway funds and the state highway program. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing law without creating new programs or altering tax rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases local government funding share from 38% to 40% of highway funds, redirects existing revenues toward public infrastructure, and removes restrictions on fuel tax use for transportation spending.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases local government transportation funding from 38% to 40% and removes restrictions on fuel tax revenues, directly advancing infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 508: TRANSPORTATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Idaho bill H 508 amends highway laws to clarify when bicycle and pedestrian facilities can be included in road projects. The bill specifies that such improvements may only be added as a secondary benefit to projects primarily designed for motor vehicles, or when funded by federal grants, or to enhance safety near schools/parks. It also requires highway projects to maintain minimum 50-foot right-of-way widths and prohibits reducing non-residential road widths except for federal requirements. These changes affect state transportation planning and project design under Idaho Code sections 40-605 and 40-117.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRestricts bike/pedestrian infrastructure integration into road projects, requiring them as secondary features only, limiting expansion of non-motorized transportation options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways