STAND. COM. REP. NO.  246-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2199

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2199 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish the Transit Oriented Development Infrastructure Authority (Authority) within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to facilitate, oversee, and manage infrastructure development of state lands within one-quarter mile of any rail station of the high capacity transit corridor project in the City and County of Honolulu; and

     (2)  Establish and appropriate funds into and out of the Transit Oriented Development Infrastructure Special Fund, which shall also be funded with a percentage of transient accommodations tax revenues to cover the administrative and operational costs of the Authority.

A concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Realtors, RMA Sales, and Building Industry Association of Hawaii testified in support of the intent of this measure.  The Office of Planning, Department of Budget and Finance, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii provided comments.

     Transit-oriented development can provide significant economic, social, and environmental benefits through the co-location of jobs, workforce housing, and economic opportunities in mixed-use communities at public transportation hubs.  However, the development of transit-oriented development plans encompasses a wide spectrum of issues over multiple jurisdictions.  Your Committees find that there is a need to address infrastructure capacity building along the entire transit corridor and the Transit Oriented Development Infrastructure Authority will provide the planning, oversight, and interagency and intergovernmental coordination that is critical to accomplishing this goal.

     While your Committees note that concerns were raised as to the appropriate entity to oversee the Transit Oriented Development Infrastructure Authority, this measure is a work in progress and discussion of this issue can continue should the measure move further through the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2199 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Business.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Water & Land,

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair

____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair