LHTAC’s Two New Funding Programs
Local Strategic Initiatives Program and Child Pedestrian Safety Program
The Surplus Eliminator Program was established by House Bill 312 (H312) during the 2015 Legislative session. The law states that at the end of the year, remaining funds will be split between the rainy-day fund and the Surplus Eliminator program for state transportation projects administered by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). During the 2017 Legislative session, Idaho Law makers voted to continue the Surplus Eliminator program through Senate Bill 1206 (S1206), however now the money is shared 60% to the state system and 40% to the local system for the next two years. For 2018, the total local share of the Surplus Eliminator fund is approximately $11M (a portion of which goes toward the Joint Children Pedestrian Safety Program). LHTAC will administer the local share through a Local Strategic Initiatives Program. Per the law, eligible projects must be related to maintenance, and address safety and mobility.
Another piece of legislation that was passed, House Bill 334 (H334), in 2017 allows some of the Strategic Initiatives money to be spent on projects addressing “children pedestrian safety on the state and local system.” LHTAC and ITD staff worked together to develop a joint program to fund these projects. Similar to the Local Strategic Initiatives program the project should be “shovel ready” and construction must be completed by late fall/early winter 2018.
House Bill 442
On February 15, 2018 the Governor signed House Bill 442, the bill appropriating and transferring the funds for the Strategic Initiatives Program. Award outcome letters have been mailed out. Those agencies who were successful will also receive a program agreement which needs to be signed/returned as soon as possible. We are grateful for the quick work from the Legislature and the Governor to correct the drafting error from 2017 and look forward to reporting on the successful projects next spring. Please reach out to your legislator thanking them for supporting local transportation funding through HB 442.
House Bill 606
Relating to the open meetings law; amending section 74-202, Idaho Code, to revise the definition of “public agency.” This bill requires every political subdivision to follow open meeting laws.
House Bill 611 – This law updates the requirements on public meeting notices, and requires that they be posted electronically if an entity maintains an online presence through a website or social media. Additionally, there is a requirement that agendas list which items require a vote, and changes amending agenda requirements.
LHTAC Annual Report FY17
The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) in accordance with Title 40-2404, Idaho Code, provided copies of our Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Report to members of the Idaho House and Senate Transportation Committees. Download and Read the Full Report on our website https://lhtac.org/category/reports/.
2017 LHJs Report on House Bill 312
HB312 directed LHTAC to submit an annual report informing the legislature on the use of the money and ongoing maintenance funding needs on the local system. Download and Read the Full Report on our website https://lhtac.org/category/house-bill-312/.