Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE YES on S1144 - Highways, benefit, motor vehicles (posted 03/05/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: emailidaho.com

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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S1144 repeals and replaces Idaho Code 40-605 with two important components:

1. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities may be improved only as a secondary or collateral benefit for a highway project.

2. Non-residential collector and arterial roadways may not be reduced in width.

We urge S1144 passage to prevent highway agencies (e.g., Ada County Highway District) from implementing 15-minute / smart-city policies in highway projects. This is happening in states such as Oregon, which require projects to include lavish bike and pedestrian lanes, greatly increasing costs and delaying projects as everyone squabbles over features that do not achieve primary goals of reducing traffic congestion and improving motorist travel time.

Details:

• County commissioners may improve existing highways or create new highways with the primary goal of reducing traffic congestion and improving motorist travel time.

• Highway right-of-ways must be at least 50 feet wide (with some exceptions)

• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities can be improved only as a secondary benefit to highway projects or for safety near specific areas such as schools and parks.

• For non-residential collector or arterial highways: Width reductions are allowed only when required by federal law.

• Before taking private property for highway projects, commissioners must conduct a survey and attempt to negotiate a right-of-way purchase with the landowner, potentially using county highway funds to acquire the necessary land.

NOTE: Taking private property should be a LAST resort! Many jurisdictions abuse eminent domain to take property from individuals; this practice is immoral and should be illegal or include iron-clad safeguards for private property owners.

Related:

• Institute for Justice – Idaho Eminent Domain Laws: tinyurl.com/476yfbkw