SB 1144: Restricting funding for pedestrian and road safety — 2025

Senator Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) introduced Senate Bill 1144, which is similar to Senate Bill 1140. Both focus road funding as “primarily benefit motor vehicles” rather than on improvements for pedestrians, bicycle, wheelchairs, or other non-motorized road users. The difference is that SB 1144 would restrict any expenditure of any funds to build improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

This bill forces highway agencies to invest transportation dollars in efforts only to widen, straighten or relocate highways. Sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, or other public safety projects can only be considered as secondary or collateral benefits. This bill does include an exception for investments “as necessary…near schools, parks, or other designated pedestrian or bicycle areas.” How near? It’s not so clear…

It appears that both of this years’ bills (SB 1144 and SB 1140) are simply adding language to limit any sort of traffic calming or bicycle/pedestrian facilities to Idaho’s streets into other sections of Idaho’s Transportation Code.

ICL opposes SB 1144, because it’s yet another attempt to limit local control and slash funding for important public safety improvements that benefit all road users.