IdahoIdaho counties would limit when they improve bike and pedestrian facilities
Starting July 1, 2026, county highway projects would be able to improve bike and pedestrian facilities only under listed safety, funding, or project-related conditions.
What it does
County commissioners would improve bike and pedestrian facilities only as a related benefit, with federal funding, or to improve safety near certain public places.
Highway projects focused mainly on motor vehicles could include bike and pedestrian facilities when they provide a secondary benefit, receive federal support, or follow federal law.
Argument forThe listed exceptions could help counties add safer walking and biking facilities near schools and parks or when federal funding is available.
Argument againstLimiting improvements to listed situations could make it harder for counties to add bike and pedestrian facilities on other highway projects.
More detail
County commissioners would improve existing or new pedestrian and bicycle facilities only in listed situations. The rule covers highway projects in Idaho counties and facilities near schools, parks, or other designated pedestrian or bicycle areas. Improvements may be made as a secondary or related benefit of a highway project. Improvements may be made when federal funds or grants pay for them. Improvements may be made when needed to improve safety near schools, parks, or other designated pedestrian or bicycle areas. This provision would take effect July 1, 2026.
The law would define when a highway project primarily benefits motor vehicles and when it may include bike or pedestrian facilities. The definition applies to highway and bridge maintenance and construction projects that reduce traffic delays, improve vehicle flow, or expand vehicle travel capacity. Bike and pedestrian facilities may be included when they provide a secondary benefit, receive federal funds or grants, or are needed to follow federal law. This definition would take effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 299 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 10:38 a.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
- Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 1Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 1Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 1Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Apr 1Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 31Read third time in full – PASSED - 19-16-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Guthrie, Lent, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Bjerke(Bjerke), Carlson, Foreman, Grow, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - BurtenshawTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 27Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 18Introduced, read first time; referred to: TransportationMinor
- Mar 18Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 17Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 39-29-2AYES – Bingham, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Dygert, Egbert, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Miller, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cayler, Crane(12), Crane(13), Ehardt, Ehlers, Garner, Harris, Hawkins, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mendive, Mitchell, Monks, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug(Chadwick), Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – Berch, MickelsenFloor Sponsor - GreenTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 16Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Jan 22Reported Printed and Referred to Transportation & Defense
- Jan 21Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
TransportationPublic SafetyEmergency Management