Transportation

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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signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 629: TRANSPORTATION – Amends existing law to provide for a printed copy of a registration card for vehicles.

H 629 (Idaho House Bill 629) amends Idaho law to allow electronic vehicle registration, directly affecting all Idaho vehicle owners and the Idaho Department of Transportation. The bill revises Section 49-202 to update procedures for replacing physical registration and amends Section 49-427 to explicitly permit an electronic registration format. This change eliminates the need for physical registration stickers by enabling electronic verification, while maintaining existing fee structures for services like duplicate registration copies. The bill passed the Idaho House 43-26 and is now moving to the Senate.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends transportation law to modernize vehicle registration via electronic format, streamlining processes for vehicle owners and DOT while maintaining fee structures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 570: RECKLESS DRIVING – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding reckless driving.

This Idaho bill amends reckless driving laws to clarify specific dangerous driving scenarios: it adds penalties for exceeding speed limits by 20+ mph in school/construction zones and for passing when sight distance is restricted. It also creates "inattentive driving" as a separate, lesser offense (max $300 fine or 90 days jail) for less severe cases, while maintaining stricter penalties for true reckless driving (up to $2,000 fine or 1 year jail for repeat offenses within 5 years). The bill directly affects drivers who commit these specific violations, particularly repeat offenders. The changes aim to better categorize driving behaviors and adjust penalties accordingly, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends reckless driving laws to enhance road safety in school/construction zones and establishes clearer penalties, directly advancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

in committee · Idaho · House Jan 19, 2026

H 490: RECKLESS DRIVING – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding reckless driving.

Idaho bill H 490 revises the state's reckless driving law (Idaho Code §49-1401). It adds a specific prohibition against passing when a lane line indicates a sight distance restriction and clarifies that driving 20+ mph over the speed limit in school or construction zones constitutes reckless driving. The bill creates a new "inattentive driving" offense for less severe cases (e.g., minor carelessness), punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $300 fine, while maintaining tiered penalties for reckless driving: first-time offenders face up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine, and repeat offenders within 5 years face up to 1 year jail or $2,000 fine plus automatic license suspension. This law directly affects drivers convicted of these traffic violations, with changes taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new 'inattentive driving' offense with penalties, expanding criminalization per oppose indicators (increases criminalization, not reform).95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends reckless driving law to prohibit passing in sight-restricted zones and increase penalties for speeding in school/construction zones, enhancing road safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing

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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

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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

in committee · Idaho · House Jan 27, 2026

H 527: YELLOW DOT MOTOR VEHICLE MEDICAL INFORMATION ACT – Repeals existing law relating to the Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Act.

This bill (H 527) repeals Idaho's existing "Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Act" (Chapter 47, Title 39, Idaho Code). It eliminates the current law that governed the Yellow Dot program, which likely provided medical information to first responders about drivers with specific health conditions. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2026, and the bill declares an emergency to expedite this change. No new provisions or mechanisms are added; the bill solely removes the existing law.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill eliminates Yellow Dot program, a motor vehicle medical information initiative, aligning with 'eliminates transportation programs' under oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

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signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 1224: TRANSPORTATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding slow moving vehicles.

This Idaho bill (S 1224) amends traffic laws for slow-moving vehicles like farm tractors, construction equipment, and farm machinery. It requires these vehicles to have rear emblems, headlights during nighttime hours (30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise), and prohibits operation above 25 mph unless designed for higher speeds. The bill also adds an exception for emergency/snow removal vehicles during public safety operations and clarifies when drivers must pull over on two-lane highways when three or more vehicles follow a slow-moving vehicle. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds safety requirements for slow-moving vehicles (emblems, headlights, speed limits) enhancing road safety standards under transportation regulations.92% confidence

signed · Idaho · House Mar 17, 2026

H 500: MOTOR VEHICLES – Amends existing law to provide for human-powered vehicles, bicycles, and electric-assisted bicycles.

This Idaho bill (H 500) updates traffic laws to explicitly include human-powered vehicles, bicycles, and electric-assisted bicycles under existing motor vehicle regulations. It requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid collisions with these vehicles and gives riders the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers (except where impractical). Key provisions ban riding without a permanent seat, limit passenger capacity to the vehicle's design, and allow secure child carriers. The changes apply to all riders of these vehicles and take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by granting cyclists rights/duties under traffic laws, requiring driver due care, and establishing clear safety standards for human-powered vehicles.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure