RS30910 / S1217

This legislation amends section 40-203 of Idaho Code regarding the abandonment of roads and public rights-of-way. Abandonment involves a lengthy process for the county or the highway district in which a public road is being abandoned. For the cases where the public road accesses public lands or waters, this legislation adds to the process so that evidence of such access can be presented. Then, for those public roads that do access public lands and waters, the amendment to 40-203 requires that a replacement public access be provided, even if that public access is provided at private expense, before the abandonment can be completed.

This legislation will have no impact on state funding since road abandonments are in the jurisdiction of counties or highway districts. Counties and highway districts may be abandoning public roads to save money, but where the public access is to public lands or waters, the replacement access could be paid with private funding.

Bill Text

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note

Bill on Idaho Legislature site