Idaho § 49-1004B

§ 49-1004B.

special route designations and permits by local authorities. (1) Local authorities may, by resolution on their own initiative or pursuant to written request, designate routes and revoke previously authorized routes within their respective jurisdictions for the operation of vehicle combinations with a legal maximum gross weight between one hundred five thousand five hundred one (105,501) pounds and one hundred twenty-nine thousand (129,000) pounds. A local authority that designates routes under this section shall do so pursuant to the requirements of this section. Nothing in this section shall limit the exclusive jurisdiction of local authorities to authorize or decline to designate such routes. All routes authorized by this section that are effective on July 1, 2019, shall remain in effect unless subsequently revoked pursuant to the procedures set forth in this section.

(a) Within one hundred fifty (150) days after receipt of a written request to designate a route under this section, the governing board of a local authority shall issue a determination as to:

(i) Whether it designates routes under this section; and

(ii) If it designates routes under this section, whether to approve the specific route at issue.

(b) In exercising jurisdiction to designate a route under this section, a local authority shall analyze the long-term physical and safety consequences of allowing vehicles covered by this section to use the route at issue. In conducting such analysis, the local authority shall use Idaho transportation department standards or the Idaho standards for public works construction, or a successor publication.

(c) A local authority that designates routes under this section shall authorize a map of designated routes by resolution of its governing board and shall update the route map within thirty (30) days after authorization or revocation of a route under this section. Upon designation or update of a route map as set forth in this subsection, a local authority shall submit such designation or update to the department for inclusion in the statewide route map entitled "Designated Routes up to 129K."

(2) A local authority that designates routes under this section may issue permits for travel upon such routes and may use such permits to designate conditions for travel, including possible seasonal restrictions or other time, place, or manner limitations. A local authority shall indicate on its route map, or within the provisions of its authorizing resolution, whether a permit is required upon a designated route. Issuance of permits for use of designated routes shall be deemed an administrative action that can be carried out by the primary administrative officer of the jurisdiction, or his designee.

(a) Within thirty (30) days after receipt of a written request for a permit for travel upon a designated route, a local authority shall either issue a permit or issue a written denial of the permit requested. The denial shall explain why the permit was denied.

(b) A written permit issued under this section shall clearly state all conditions for travel upon the designated route.

(c) An annual administrative permit fee, not to exceed a maximum of fifty-five dollars ($55.00) per vehicle, shall be set by the local authority for travel on designated routes. A local authority shall submit five dollars ($5.00) from each administrative permit fee to the local authority technical analysis fund.

(3) After the issuance of the written decision, or in the event that the local authority has not acted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section within the time required, an applicant for a permit may request the opportunity to be heard by the governing body of the local authority. A local authority shall provide for the opportunity to be heard by its governing body at a public meeting within forty-five (45) days of filing such request. No fewer than fifteen (15) days after the conclusion of the public meeting at which the appeal by a permit applicant has first been heard, a local governing board shall render the final decision of the local jurisdiction, setting forth the factual and legal reasons therefor, regarding such permit request.

(4) There is hereby created a grant fund to be known as the local authority technical analysis fund within the state treasury. The grant fund shall be used to provide additional funding to local authorities to cover additional costs related to the technical review of applications as described in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section. Such grants shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per route and shall be awarded under such terms and conditions as determined by the department or its designee. The department will maintain the local authority technical analysis fund in the state treasury in a separate sub-fund to ensure funds are not commingled with department funds until the money is requested by a local authority, after approval by the department or its designee. The funds will be disbursed to a local authority after approval of the request. All moneys in the fund are to be continuously appropriated. Any interest earned on the investment of idle moneys in the fund shall be returned to the fund.

(5) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department shall perform its obligations pursuant to this section.

[49-1004B, added 2019, ch. 180, sec. 5, p. 583; am. 2021, ch. 234, sec. 1, p. 714.]