ID H0414

Requires the Idaho Transportation Department to prepare and periodically update a state rail and intermodal facility system plan identifying, evaluating, and encouraging development and preservation of essential rail and truck intermodal services.

Plan must identify state rail systems, mainline capacity issues, rail access and congestion issues, commodity flows, rail-banked lines, and freight lines potentially subject to abandonment.

Plan shall provide priorities for determining which rail lines or intermodal commerce authorities should receive state support, based on economic benefits, coordinated freight transportation costs, intermodal facility establishment, operating cost sustainability, and abandonment impact.

Requires the Transportation Department to provide information to an interagency working group assisting the Department of Agriculture in monitoring mainline, short line, and branch line railroad status, including evaluation of abandonment alternatives before federal proceedings.

Transportation Department may accumulate up to $75,000 annually, not exceeding 1% of total assets in the fund established by Idaho Code section 49-2904, to prepare and periodically update the state rail plan.