Senate Bill 1163 Summary

• Approves $300 million in GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds and $200 million in general highway transportation bonds through the Idaho Housing and Finance Association for construction of specified highway projects listed in Idaho Code Section 40-315.

• Modifies highway distribution account allocations, changing local government share from 38% to 40% and state highway account from 57% to 60%, while directing 5% to the law enforcement account established in Section 67-2914.

• Extends the strategic initiatives program surplus transfer mechanism through May 31, 2022 (five additional years), allowing 50% of general fund excess cash to be transferred, with 60% going to state highway account and 40% to local governments.

• Creates a new sales tax exemption for materials used in public road construction when purchased by contractors working under federal, state, county, or city government contracts and the materials become government property upon completion.

• Directs an independent performance evaluation of the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) by the Office of Performance Evaluations to assess contract procedures, industry standards compliance, administrative overhead, staffing levels, and alternatives to current service delivery.