Panel advances House Bill 25 to add $60 million to Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation fund

The Senate Transportation Committee voted to send House Bill 25 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after Representative Joe Palmer explained the measure to committee members.

Representative Joe Palmer of Meridian told the committee the bill would add $20 million to the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation Fund in each of the next three years — totaling $60 million — and set the local portion at a fixed $45 million so local jurisdictions can plan in advance.

Supporters said the fund, created in 2017, has allowed the state to use bonding to complete large Idaho Transportation Department projects that would otherwise be delayed. ‘‘It’s worked really well,’’ Palmer said, adding that issuing bonds has saved the state and taxpayers money over time by locking in financing at an interest rate he said was about 3.81 percent and allowing projects to be completed on a 25-year bond schedule while the infrastructure lasts 50 to 75 years.

Discussion and public testimony were minimal. Senator Burton Shaw moved to send the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; Senator Kohl seconded the motion. Senator Hart registered a recorded no vote; the motion carried.

The bill now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.