Bill > S1258

This bill amends existing Idaho law to establish additional requirements regarding the abandonment and vacation of county highways or public rights-of-way. The key provisions include: (1) requiring commissioners to accept evidence that a highway or right-of-way being considered for vacation furnishes public access to state or federal public lands or waters, and to follow validation procedures if such access has not been previously adjudicated; (2) prohibiting the vacation of any highway or right-of-way that has been legally determined to furnish public access to public lands or waters, unless a substantially similar replacement is provided; and (3) making the new requirements effective July 1, 2024, and not applicable to actions initiated prior to that date. The bill aims to preserve public access to state and federal public lands and waters when considering the abandonment or vacation of county highways and rights-of-way.

Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

Transportation Committee (Senate)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2024/legislation/S1258/