STAND. COM. REP. NO.  60-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2524

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2524 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve statewide transportation planning by requiring the Statewide Transportation Plan prepared by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to comply with county transportation-related plans, county general plans, or all community, development, or community development plans adopted pursuant to the county general plan, to the extent that is does not affect the availability of federal funds.

     DOT, the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu, Chair of the Maui County Council, and a member of the Kauai County Council testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Association of Realtors testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Long-range transportation planning requires a holistic approach.  While DOT currently consults with county transportation officials with regard to the State's long-range transportation master plan, strengthening this relationship to ensure a coordinated effort in developing transportation improvements will go a long way to improving the quality of life for Hawaii's residents.

     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. 2524 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair