Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1202 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide that all structures and improvements to land to be used for airport purposes may be planned, designed, and constructed without the approval of county agencies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation (DOT). Testimony in opposition was submitted by Hawaii's Thousand Friends and the Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Your Committee finds that this measure will streamline the implementation of capital improvement projects (CIP) by the DOT's Airports Division.

Your Committee recognizes the impact that airports and related structures have on local communities throughout our State. At the same time, your Committee finds that there are many opportunities for public input during the planning and design phases of airport CIP projects. It is important that citizens and county agencies utilize those opportunities to the fullest extent possible.

Given the level of public input, your Committee finds that it is unnecessary also to require the approval of any county agency for airport CIP projects. There is an urgent need to improve methods of travel between islands for both residents and tourists, and your Committee finds that the current implementation process is cumbersome enough.

Based on testimony submitted by the DOT, and for the same reasons as stated above, your Committee amended this measure to also exempt airport CIP projects from county agencies' Special Management Areas permitting requirements.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1202, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1202, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.