Bill Description: House Bill 729 would clarify that dedicated highway funds must be used primarily to benefit motor vehicles.

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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 729 would amend Section 40-708, Idaho Code, which lays out the "policy of the legislature" for "all highway-user revenues accruing to the state highway account." This section requires that the expenditure of such funds shall be accounted for "by a certification of the governing unit receiving, budgeting and expending those dedicated funds."

House Bill 729 would add a sentence that says, "The certification shall certify that all highway user revenues and ad valorem levies have been expended only to support the operations, administration, maintenance, construction, and development of bridges and highways that benefit primarily motor vehicles in the local highway jurisdiction."

This new language is 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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