HB 57: Funding trails — 2025

[On February 18, after several days of lingering on the Amending Order for a potential revision, the House returned the bill to the House Resources & Conservation Committee. ICL supports efforts to resurrect the bill.]

For years, underfunding of trails on Idaho’s public lands has plagued hikers, equestrians, bikers, anglers, wildlife-watchers, and many Idahoans. It’s been a consistent source of frustration as federal funding for trail maintenance has waned.

And for years, the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR) has collected funds from Off Highway Vehicles (ATVs, motorbikes, side-by-sides, etc.) that have helped fund motorized trail maintenance. Unfortunately, there has not been state funding for thousands of miles of non-motorized trails.

That’s why ICL is happy to see House Bill 57, sponsored by Rep. James Petzke (R-Meridian). The bill would raise the existing Parks Pass from $10 to $20. This is the sticker that you buy each year when you renew your license plates.

Of this funding, $16 will go to IDPR, with the remaining $4 deposited in a new Non-motorized Trails Fund to be used for trail maintenance on private, state, or federal lands that are open to public use. Equestrians have tried for years to come up with a funding mechanism to support non-motorized trails, and we applaud their solution-oriented thinking.

Along with ICL, diverse interests support the bill, including: the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association, the Idaho Horse Council, the Idaho Wildlife Federation, the Oywhee County Commission, Idaho’s Miss Rodeo, and others.