H09762026 Regular Session

Relates to the appropriation and transfer of funds for strategic initiatives and local highway districts.

APPROPRIATIONS -- Relates to the appropriation and transfer of funds for strategic initiatives and local highway districts.

APPROPRIATIONS

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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RS33865 / H0976 This bill is a trailer to House Bill 968. Among other things, House Bill 968 transferred $32 million to the Strategic Initiatives Fund for transportation and capital construction in the state. Pursuant to Section 40-719, Idaho Code, 60% of revenues are split between the Idaho Transportation Department while 40% of revenues are directed to local jurisdictions and highway districts as grants administered by LHTAC. This bill directs the 40% of revenues be directed through the Highway Distribution Fund, instead. For the past few sessions, the Legislature has directed funds for strategic initiatives through the formula rather than grants.

FISCAL NOTE

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There is no fiscal impact of this bill, rather it directs the appropriation for local jurisdictions and highway districts in House Bill 968 to the Highway Distribution Fund. There is approximately $12.8 million that will be sent through the Highway Distribution Fund from House Bill 968.

BILL TEXT

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LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE BILL NO. 976 BY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS; AMENDING SECTION 5 OF HOUSE BILL NO. 968, IF EN-2 ACTED BY THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE SIXTY-EIGHTH IDAHO LEGISLA-3 TURE, TO PROVIDE A CASH TRANSFER TO THE LOCAL HIGHWAY DISTRIBUTION FUND;4 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Section 5 of House Bill No. 968, if enacted by the Sec-7 ond Regular Session of the Sixty-eighth Idaho Legislature, be, and the same8 is hereby amended to read as follows:9

Section 5. CASH TRANSFER TO THE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES10 PROGRAM FUND AND LOCAL HIGHWAY DISTRIBUTION FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR11 2026. There is hereby appropriated and the Office of the State12 Controller shall transfer 50% of the interest earnings generated13 in fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 to the American Rescue Plan14 Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund or $32,877,300, whichever15 is greater, to be distributed as 60% to the Strategic Initiatives16 Program (Dedicated) Fund and 40% to the Local Highway Distribution17 Fund as soon as practicable for the period July 1, 2025, through18 June 30, 2026. The amount shall be confirmed with the Legislative19 Services Office Budget and Policy Analysis Division.20

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby21 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after its22 passage and approval.23