STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1650

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1605

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to alleviate traffic congestion, maximize traffic flow, and enhance driver safety on Maui.

Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for the development and implementation of an intelligent transportation system architectural plan for Maui, including a Maui traffic control center.

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from one Maui County Council member.

     Your Committee finds that traffic delays continue to intensify on Maui, creating slow transit times for commuters and public safety issues.  Your Committee finds that an intelligent transportation system applies communications and information technology to resolve traffic control issues and reduce congestion.  Intelligent transportation systems use a combination of field devices, including traffic cameras, linked with a traffic control center to monitor traffic conditions and provide timely traffic information to drivers and authorities.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that this measure will provide a solution to many of Maui's traffic problems.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the source of funds appropriated from general revenues to the state highway fund;

(2)  Adding language to clarify that the project is necessary to qualify for federal aid; and

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2007.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair