Unexpected delay as Senate Transportation convenes to consider general-fund shift bill for roads…

The Senate Transportation Committee is meeting this morning to hear HB 310, the narrowly House-passed bill to shift $16 million in gas tax funds that now go to fund the Idaho State Police to road work instead, without provision for replacing the ISP funding; and to shift a portion of state general fund revenues each year, when revenues have grown by a certain amount, to the highway fund. HB 310 passed the House on March 30 on a 39-31 vote, an eight-vote margin.

But just after the gavel fell, House Speaker Scott Bedke came forward and asked Chairman Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, “Mr. Chairman, could you put your committee at ease and step out in the hallway for a moment?” Brackett placed the committee at ease, and the two disappeared into the back hall.

Just moments later, Brackett returned alone. “Committee, we’ll again come to order,” he announced. “Welcome everyone here, especially the guests. Seems to be some interest in the agenda, so we’ll get right with it.”

He then called Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, to present HB 310.