BOISE - Hoping to put an end to the legislative logjam over transportation funding while standing by a promise to adjourn Friday, GOP House leaders introduced legislation Wednes-day that would raise nearly $70 million in new revenue for road projects.

The bills were sent directly to the floor from the House Ways and Means Committee and could be acted on today. The main proposal would raise $68.5 million by, among other things, increasing annual registration fees for cars and trucks and tacking 3 cents onto the current rate of 25 cents of tax per gallon.

House Majority Caucus Chair Ken Roberts,R-Donnelly, said the bill is the result of weeks of discussions from legislators, transportation officials and the office of Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter. He said no further proposals are expected, but conceded its passage in the House is uncertain.

"After listening to legislators from Jan. 8 and earlier until last night at 9 o'clock this is what was agreed upon," he told reporters. "This plan has something nobody likes but it's an agreement everyone can live with."

The committee also approved a measure to erase incentives geared at developing biofuels that could bring in $1.2 million annually.

For the second consecutive year at the Legislature, transportation funding has emerged as the political shark bite, the roadblock to sending lawmakers home. At issue is how to cover an expected more than $240 million shortfall in transportation funding in the coming years.

It's been a bumpy ride for several weeks since Otter proposed raising annual registration fees to $150. The state constitution requires tax bills begin in the House, and while almost a dozen bills have been introduced, just a few have made it out of committees.

"The governor supports this as the first step," Clete Edmunson, Otter's transportation adviser, said of the bill.

The proposal was presented by Idaho Transportation Department Director Pam Lowe. The 3-cent per gallon hike would raise $27 million. The tax has gone unchanged since 1996. The registration fee increases for cars, including those one to four years old to $84 would raise $23.5 million. Raising fees for light and heavy trucks, trailers and farm trucks would reap $18 million.

The legislation would increase to almost two-thirds the amount of money that would go to the ITD -$44.4 million - with the rest going to cities and counties. The Idaho State Police portion of the budget from fuel tax would be frozen at $16.8 million, which officials said would likely require future requests from the general fund.

House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said during the meeting lawmakers are skeptical about raising any fees, and would be more comfortable with precise allocation figures from ITD and assurances the money would be used properly.

"Once the sticker shock is removed we've got to decide if it's a fair way and then we'll take our medicine," he said.

The money would be used for statewide projects ready for construction but which lack funding, Lowe said. She said there are conflicting studies over whether cars or trucks damage roads more, and the bill is aimed as a compromise.

"The bottom line is no group is paying their share," she said.

The omnibus bill was sent directly to the House floor and will not receive a hearing - a decision met with concern from those who stand to pay more.

"I've never seen it," said Skip Smyser, a lobbyist for the Idaho Trucking Association. "But I can't believe there isn't a hearing."

The Senate has said it is waiting for funding proposals from the House before it votes on a bill that would allow for the performance audit of the ITD.

"It's a good start and I'm pleased," said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John McGee, R-Caldwell.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 420-8371 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.