Report Title:

Parking Fees study; public employees; DAGS

Description:

Requires DAGS to perform a study of parking fees paid for by public employees in relation to parking fees paid for by private sector employees.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2161

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to parking fees.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that increased traffic congestion and a limited availability of parking spaces throughout the state, especially in the downtown Honolulu business district, has contributed to private sector employers and employees paying a wide range of elevated parking fees. At the same time, many public sector employees receive free parking or pay a nominal fee (when compared to private sector employees) to park in state and county-owned parking facilities. Fees for public sector employees, like those for private sector employers and employees, often vary depending upon a number of factors, including parking area and employing government entity. These fees are established through administrative rules by the department of accounting and general services for state employees and state facilities, while county ordinances and administrative agencies establish parking fees and rules for county employees under the particular jurisdiction.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of accounting and general services to conduct a study of:

(1) State, county, and private parking facilities statewide;

(2) State and county parking policies for public sector employees; and

(3) Differences in parking fees charged to public sector employees as compared to private sector employees within the same geographic area.

SECTION 2. The department of accounting and general services shall conduct a study of state, county, and private parking facilities statewide and state and county parking policies for public sector employees. The study shall include but not be limited to:

(1) An inventory of all parking facilities statewide including those under State, county, and private sector jurisdiction;

(2) An inventory of the total amount of existing parking spaces on a lot-by-lot basis and an overall count;

(3) An examination of the existing and projected maintenance, security, administrative, and service costs of the parking facilities;

(4) A census of parking lot assignees that includes their positions and salary levels;

(5) A determination of the rate paid by public sector employees for parking in comparison to private sector employees and whether these fees are equitable;

(6) The estimated dollar value of parking benefits being provided to public sector employees;

(7) An assessment as to whether current parking policies pertaining to public sector employees are fair and equitable;

(8) A determination as to whether parking fees for public sector employees should be raised to cover the costs associated with a parking facility, including administration, security, maintenance, and service costs; and

(9) An assessment of the costs involved in implementing any recommendations made by the study.

The department of accounting and general services shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for a study of state, county, and private parking facilities statewide and state and county parking policies for public sector employees to be performed by the department of accounting and general services.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

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