| IAHD Bill Tracker Highlights |
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Exemption from public works licensure for certain contractors |
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Agricultural protection areas - eminent domain |
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Strategic Initiatives Grant Program, LHTAC |
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Vacation of public rights-of-way with access to public lands or waters |
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Maintenance of public right-of-way |
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*New legislation added to IAHD's Bill Tracker this week. |
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| Idaho Transportation News |
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| Notable Movement of Tracked Bills |
| Photo Credit: Tracy King
Here's a list of bills and their movement throughout the Idaho State Legislature this week: - H571 - Delivered to the Governor
- H608 - Sent to the Senate amending order
- H638aa - Passed the House of Representatives and Senate Transportation Committee
- S1320aa - Passed the Senate
Appropriations Bill Update The transportation appropriations bill has yet to be printed. Keep an eye on IAHD's Bill Tracker for a link to the bill text as soon as it becomes available. |
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| Protecting Eminent Domain |
| This week, the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee advanced H608 to the amending order. Committee members expressed broad support for establishing the proposed Agricultural Protection Areas (APA), with advocates seeking to uphold the authority of highway districts and counties to utilize eminent domain on existing rights-of-way within APA(s).
The bill is currently under the amending order on the Senate’s calendar. Should the Senate endorse an amendment, the bill will return to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
For more information, stream a recording of the March 12 committee hearing here. |
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| Legislation Introduced to Update the Procurement Threshold |
| Gooding Highway District's Jansen Bridge Project Photo Credit: Steven Yearsley, Forsgren Associates
Senator Harris introduced legislation (S1427) aimed at adjusting procurement thresholds to account for inflation and rising costs. Below is a list of the proposed changes -
For soliciting bids from at least three vendors/contractors: - Public Works: From $50,000 - $200,000 to $75,000 - $250,000
- Services or Personal Property: From $75,000 - $150,000 to $100,000 - $200,000
For the competitive sealed bid process: - Public Works: Amounts over $200,000 (current) to $250,000
- Services or Personal Property: Amounts over $150,000 (current) to $200,000
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| Supporting Local Highway Jurisdictions |
| On Thursday, March 14, the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) held their quarterly Council Meeting. During the meeting, council members and guests received comprehensive program updates and carefully assessed various grant application rankings for approval.
Many thanks go to LHTAC’s dedicated team for their unwavering support for Idaho’s local highway jurisdictions! To discover more about LHTAC, visit their website here. |
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| National Transportation News |
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- Ohio allocates $120 million towards enhancing infrastructure to accommodate the state’s burgeoning growth, with $21 million specifically earmarked for new construction endeavors and $28.4 million allocated for development projects (The Logan Daily News).
- In preparation for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8th, Texas learns from Wyoming’s experience during the 2017 event, where a surge in visitors doubled the state’s population, straining the highway system (WFAA 8 News).
- Maryland Senators approved a $60 million annual cut to Baltimore’s Highway User Revenue. Officials warn it jeopardizes repaving for 170 miles of roads, halts progress, and limits federal funding that requires local matching (WYPR News).
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| Idaho's Transportation Committees |
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Discover Idaho's legislative transportation committees by clicking on the buttons below. Delve into information about current committee members, download meeting agendas, virtually tune in, testify in committee hearings, and much more. |
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| How to Contact Your Legislator |
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Your voice matters - speak up for better transportation! Come alongside us in supporting legislation to improve our infrastructure. Simply click the button below to find your legislators and their contact details. |
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- May - June, 2024 (TBA - Exact dates and locations)
- November 11 - 14, 2024 | Coeur d'Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene, ID
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Questions about legislation? Contact IAHD's Executive Director - Nick Veldhouse |
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