House Bill H0310

2015 Freedom Index Score: (+1)

Analyst: Parrish Miller
Date of analysis: March 30, 2015

ANALYST'S NOTE: House Bill 310 removes the Idaho State Police (ISP) from the Highway Distribution
Account funding formula which frees up $16 million for transportation funding without increasing taxes.
The bill also allows for a very small amount of general fund dollars (at most 1/3 of 1 percent) to be
transferred to the state highway account. This change could allow up to a maximum of $10 million to be
transferred from the general fund to the state highway account.
The value of House Bill 310 is that it allocates up to $26 million to fund roads and bridges without raising
taxes. Additional such measures should be taken until roads and bridges are sufficiently funded without
any increases in taxes or fees.

Point No. 5 Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments?
Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?
ANALYSIS: House Bill 310 modifies Sections 40-701 and 57-814, Idaho Code, to free up existing
dollars for transportation. Specifically, the bill removes approximately $16 million that is
currently allocated to the Idaho State Police and allocates it to local and state highway funding
instead. The bill also allows that when general fund revenue has increased by at least 4 percent
from the previous year, up to 1/3 of 1 percent of the total general fund (up to approximately
$10 million) will be allocated to the state highway account. Both of these changes serve to fund
transportation needs in the state without increasing taxes. (+1)