Bill Description: House Bill 728 would clarify that county and highway district commissioners may not reduce the width of an existing highway and must give motorists priority when they layout new highways.

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NOTE: House Bill 728 and House Bill 729 are related and complementary bills. 

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

House Bill 728 would amend Section 40-605, Idaho Code, which deals with the powers and duties of county and highway district commissioners with respect to highways. It would clarify that the existing power to "lay out new highways within the county as they determine to be necessary" must be "for the primary benefit of motorists."

The bill also removes the authority to "change the width" of lanes and instead says that commissioners "may only expand the existing width [of a highway], increase the number of travel lanes, or straighten lanes of any highway under their jurisdiction."

These changes are intended to help prevent money that is earmarked for roads and highways from being spent on other projects that do not benefit motorists. 

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