HB 326: Attacking the Ada County Highway Commission — 2025
ICL's position: Oppose
Current Bill Status: House Floor
Issue Areas: Air quality, Elections, Public Safety, Transportation
House Bill 326, introduced by Rep. Joe Palmer (R-Meridian), is yet another attempt by the legislature to reduce the Ada County Highway Commission’s (ACHD) power. The bill requires the Governor to appoint one ACHD Commissioner, and the Ada County Commission to appoint another. In addition, there are 61 highway districts in Idaho, but this bill only impacts one of them.
This appears to be an outright political attack on non-partisan Commissioners, who are each elected by their fellow voters. A functioning ACHD Commission, that is responsive to voters, is critically important to ensuring effective road infrastructure, and to plan and prepare for the growth impacting Ada County. The Ada County Highway District covers a big chunk of Idaho’s most popular roadways, and includes Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Star, and Garden City.
What’s driving this animosity?
Some legislators disapprove of ACHD’s commitment to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The reason it’s an ACHD priority is because pedestrian and cyclist deaths in Idaho doubled between 2022-2023, and continue to trend upward, as a percentage of total road deaths. In 2023, a law passed that limited certain federal funds to projects designed “primarily” for motor vehicles, while reducing funds for pedestrian and bike safety.
Remember that bicycle and pedestrian deaths represent nearly 10% of Idaho total road deaths. Playing political games with the ACHD Commission to prevent safe road planning and design will only accelerate that death rate.