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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email


Transportation bills winding through Legislature

A number of transportation-related bills continue to progress as the 2005 Idaho Legislature enters its third month.

One bill, which would transfer responsibility for search and rescue activities for missing aircraft and airmen from ITD to the Idaho National Guard, has ascended to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s desk and awaits the governor’s signature to be enacted.

The bill does not remove ITD’s Division of Aeronautics completely from search and rescue activities. The division retains responsibility for conducting the technical aspects of aerial searches and for coordinating those activities with the state Bureau of Homeland Security and local resources. But it transfers some of the notification and oversight responsibilities to the BHS to avoid redundancy.

Among the other major bills currently under consideration (as of March 3):

  • The mandatory chain-up law (H0180), granting ITD authority to require the use of traction devices when conditions are deemed appropriate, is being replaced based on consultation with private industry and legislators. The new language includes provisions for appropriate sign notifications and chain-up locations.

  • A “highway quick clearance” bill (H0053) was approved 61-8-1 in the House and was held until this week by the Senate Transportation Committee. ITD recommends an amendment with the support of the Idaho State Police to address industry and legislative concerns. A new revised statute will be introduced in the House State Affairs committee.

  • The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (H0054) is on the third reading in the House.

  • A bill to address language regarding Idaho’s Ports of Entry (RS14456) has been replaced by three bills initiated in the House. H0181, regarding conformance with federal regulation for the transport of munitions using dromedary tractor/trailer combinations and regional standards passed in the House 67-3 and is on the Senate calendar for a third reading. H182 provides consistent penalties for commercial motor vehicles that fail to register. And H0193 clarifies those vehicles required to stop at ports of entry for inspection and weighing. Both bills received “do-pass” recommendations in the House Transportation committee and are on the House calendar for a third reading.

  • Maximum Speed Limit (S1082) was withdrawn. A new version, S1133 that addressed the speed differential for trucks on the interstate highway system has been held in committee at ITD’s request.

  • Work Zone Reform (H0052) will be withdrawn from consideration and replaced by a new bill (H0144) that would remove the double penalty for work zone violations. It was passed in the House (67-0-3) and sent to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. It is on the Senate calendar for a third reading.

  • Three new special license plate requests have been introduced — Private College License Plates, Office of Science and Technology, and Basque Heritage Plate. A related bill (H0101) would prohibit the authorization of any new special license plate programs after this session. That bill was scheduled to be introduced in the House Transportation Committee today (March 4).