Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1075 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Transportation (DOT), in conjunction with the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO), to develop an action plan to implement a fixed rail transit system on Oahu.

DOT and OMPO commented on this measure.

The current traffic situation on Oahu has become intolerable. Morning and rush hour traffic stretches for miles, causing long delays for many drivers, and increasing commute times as well as energy use while motorists remain at a standstill. An increased number of drivers, coupled with the resulting increase in the number of vehicles, will eventually tax Oahu's existing highway system, resulting in gridlock. Something must be done to alleviate traffic congestion problems on Oahu.

However, your Committee understands that a project of this magnitude requires careful thought and planning involving all of the parties involved in operating Oahu's roadways. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1075, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1075, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs.