Idaho bill expands Kootenai-area authority for bike, pedestrian projects using federal funds

A bill introduced by Rep. Brooke Green would expand the circumstances under which local jurisdictions can pursue roadway improvements for cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized users, giving Kootenai-area communities clearer authority to use federal money for walking and biking projects.

The House Transportation & Defense Committee voted to introduce the legislation on January 21, 2026. The proposal makes narrow adjustments to a law passed last year and explicitly allows exceptions for projects that are funded with federal dollars. The change aims to resolve confusion about when local entities may prioritize projects that are not vehicle-oriented.

The amendment clarifies that highway districts and similar local jurisdictions can move forward with pedestrian-oriented improvements when external federal funding is available. Supporters describe the adjustment as a modest but important step to preserve local flexibility when external funding supports active-transportation projects. The language is targeted and limited in scope, focused on permitting exceptions tied to federal grants rather than broadly rewriting the prior restrictions.

For Kootenai County residents, the practical effect could be significant when federal grant opportunities arise. Local leaders and highway districts would have clearer legal footing to pursue sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths and other non-motorized infrastructure without running afoul of the restrictions established by last year’s legislation. That may enable communities to leverage federal programs to fill gaps in local funding and advance projects that serve walkers, commuters on bicycles and people who rely on non-motorized travel for errands and school trips.

The bill also responds to concerns raised since the prior law’s passage about whether local governments could accept and prioritize federal dollars for active-transportation work. By spelling out an exception for federally funded projects, the legislation reduces legal ambiguity for local project planning and grant-seeking. Highway districts in the region, which manage many county road and access projects, are specifically named as entities whose decision-making the bill addresses.

The measure now moves through the legislative process for additional consideration. If lawmakers adopt the amendment, local officials in Kootenai-area jurisdictions will have a more certain path to use federal funds for non-vehicle projects, subject to the terms of the grants and any other state requirements.

For residents, the change could accelerate specific sidewalk and bike-lane projects when federal funding is available, and it gives local leaders more leverage in applying for grants. Watch local highway district meetings and legislative notices in the coming weeks for opportunities to see which projects could be affected and to provide input to elected officials.