THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2959
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSIT.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that transit enhancement projects are designed to foster more livable communities, preserve and protect environmental and cultural resources, and promote alternative modes of transportation.

     The purpose of this Act is to require that a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand that adopts a county surcharge on state tax ordinance use at least one per cent of the surcharge to fund transit enhancements.

     SECTION 2.  Section 46-16.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Each county with a population greater than five hundred thousand that adopts a county surcharge on state tax ordinance pursuant to subsection (a) shall use the surcharges received from the State for:

     (1)  Operating or capital costs of a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project; [and]

     (2)  Expenses in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with respect to paragraph (1)[.]; and

(3) Transit enhancements; provided that not less than one per cent of the surcharge shall be expended for projects that are designed to enhance public transportation service or use or are physically or functionally related to transit facilities and other public amenities, including:

(A) Landscaping and other scenic beautification, including tables, benches, trash receptacles, and street lights;

(B) Public works of art and music, cultural, and crafts events;

(C) Transit connections to parks within the transit service area;

(D) Signage; and

(E) Access to public transportation for persons with disabilities; provided that this subparagraph shall not require enhancements in excess of access required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The county surcharge on state tax shall not be used to build or repair public roads or highways, bicycle paths, or support public transportation systems already in existence prior to July 12, 2005."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2012.

Report Title:

Counties; Taxation; Transit Enhancements

Description:

Requires a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand that adopts a county surcharge on state tax ordinance to use at least one per cent of the surcharge to fund transit enhancements.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.