Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1684 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Urban Honolulu Regional Traffic Task Force to identify the major contributors to traffic congestion in certain parts of Honolulu and to make recommendations to alleviate traffic congestion.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Citizens Against Reckless Development and three concerned citizens. The Department of Transportation (DOT) submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

Honolulu's legendary traffic congestion has been discussed ad nauseum, and has also been reviewed by numerous committees, commissions, task forces, and departmental studies over the years. Yet, still nothing has been done.

Your Committee supports this measure even though it establishes yet another task force to study the issue. Unlike other task forces in the past, your Committee believes that this task force may bring the fresh perspective of a new Administration, and representatives from Honolulu will look at traffic congestion in connection with the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan. With additional representation from citizens in the affected areas, your Committee is hopeful that this task force will actually come up with some sound and practical ideas to alleviate traffic in Honolulu.

Your Committee amended this measure to include the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) on the task force and to authorize the DOT to work with OMPO in an attempt to secure federal funding for traffic studies and/or alleviation measures. OMPO has been analyzing traffic issues for many years and has the ability to secure federal funding, and your Committee finds their inclusion appropriate.

Your Committee also made technical, nonsubstantitve, stylistic changes.

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. 1684, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1684, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.