URGENT: Help Stop SB 1356 – Protect Local Representation For Your Neighborhood Streets
“Current Status of SB 1356:
In just a few hours, the bill passed through the Senate floor, House Committee, and House floor on April 1st. The bill now sits on the Governor’s desk (as of April 2nd) where he will either sign or veto. This is the last chance to speak out and work to stop this bill!”
TAKE ACTION NOW
Contact Governor Brad Little
Phone: (208) 334-2100
Email: governor@gov.idaho.gov
Message: “I oppose SB1356 because it removes local representation, introduces partisanship into local Highway District elections, and politicizes transportation. The people have spoken many times about their opposition. Veto this bill!”
Spread the Word
Share this post
Talk to neighbors, friends, and local businesses across Idaho who want streets to stay in local hands.
Join the Advocacy Committee Meeting
When: April 14th, 6-8 pm
Where: Bert’s Brewing
Talk with other advocates about ways to take action and learn how to get involved
RSVP for the meeting to let us know you’ll be there!
Overview of Bill
Senate Bill 1356 proposes two major changes to how ACHD commissioners are elected in Ada County, beginning in 2028:
Partisan Primaries: ACHD elections would shift from nonpartisan races to party-affiliated primaries.
Countywide Elections: Instead of voting for a commissioner from your subdistrict, all Ada County voters would elect all commissioners.
These changes would drastically alter how constituents are represented by allowing voices outside their subdistrict to vote for their commissioner.
Key Takeaways about Senate Bill 1356
Loss of Local Representation
Right now, commissioners are elected by their subdistricts and are held accountable by their constituents.
SB 1356 would allow all county voters to elect all commissioners, meaning voters from outside your town could have a say in who represents your district. Each ACHD subdistrict faces its own unique challenges that constituents know best. A voter in Eagle will not know who can best represent Kuna and vice versa. It would make it harder for commissioners to address the needs of their district, as they are also managing voices and needs from all of Ada County. Moving to a county-wide election reduces local voices and local accountability.
Transportation Should Not Be Political
Safe and accessible transportation is a fundamental right, not a partisan issue. This bill would make ACHD more politicized and less responsive to community-driven needs. Adding politics to the commission could open the door to career politicians, with political party money, rather than civil servants who use grassroots campaigning to bolster support from their neighbors.
ACHD’s mission should be about safety, access, and smart transportation planning, not partisan politics.
directly opposes City Council law
The Idaho Legislature passed an amendment in 2020 requiring cities with populations over 100,000 people to create districts for City Council elections. SB 1356 would contradict this standard of representation and have ACHD Commissioners representing over 500,000 people in this county-wide model. It is unrealistic to expect commissioners to listen to and respect this many constituents.
The problem of local representation has been improved before with city councils, and these values deserve to be respected for ACHD as well.
Ada County Residents do not support this bill
We have seen this bill introduced in the past, and it has been stopped before because Ada County residents did not support it. It continues to be unsupported by the public, as seen by the unanimous testimony against the bill during the Senate State Affairs committee meeting. Ada County residents want to keep their votes local and this bill goes against the wishes of the people.
Conclusion: Why This Matters
This bill is about more than building bike lanes; it threatens to turn ACHD into a political battleground and reshape how constituents are represented in their district. We must act now to stop SB 1356 and keep ACHD elections fair, local, and focused on transportation—not politics. Take action today!
How to testify
Register ahead of time
You must register online to testify in a committee, which can be done through the committee page on the Idaho State Legislature website. Once you find the committee page, go to the “Testimony Registration” tab, and select the bill you will be testifying about. There, you can choose how you will share your testimony, enter your residential info, and share your view on the bill. Be sure to note the time and room number of the committee meeting, and be on time!
Preparing your testimony
Feel free to write down your talking points, either as bullet points or as a full written paragraph, to bring during your testimony. This will help ensure you stay on track and speak to all that feels important to you. No matter your stance, testimonies will generally follow this format:
Greeting the committee: “Good afternoon, Chairman/Madam Chair and Committee members.”
Introduction (state your name, district, and stance): “My name is Jane Doe, I live in District 17, and I am here to testify in favor/against HB 123.”
Personal connection (why is this bill important to you): “As a fifth generation Idahoean, I am concerned about how this bill goes against Idaho's beliefs.”
Take the bike helmet off, you’re more than a cyclist! Find another connection that representatives may relate to.
What impact will this bill have: “This bill would be a government overreach and take power away from local governments.”
Restate your stance, thank the committee, and offer to take questions: “I urge you to vote no on HB 123. Thank you for your time, and I will stand for any questions.”
Scared that someone will take you up on your offer and ask a question? Don’t panic! Remember, everyone in the committee is human just like you; they put their shoes on at a time, too.
If you feel comfortable replying, be sure to begin by readdressing the committee (“Thank you Chairman/Madam Chair and thank Senator John Smith for your question…”).
Be sure to keep answers around the issues or points mentioned in your testimony and about the legislation you are speaking to
If you aren’t sure of the answer, that’s okay! They aren’t sure either, hence why they’re asking. You can offer to look into it more and follow-up with them.
