STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1191

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 1016

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 1016, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend from June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2022, the end date of the Department of Transportation and its contractors' temporary exemption from certain state land use and environmental requirements for bridge rehabilitation projects provided by Act 218, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012.

The Department of Transportation supported this measure.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and an individual opposed this measure.

     Your Committee finds that the Highways Division of the Department of Transportation is responsible for providing a safe, efficient, and effective land transportation system for the safe movement of people and goods.  A critical component of the land transportation system is the hundreds of bridges that span the many streams, rivers, and gulches across the islands.  The Department, however, has not been able to keep pace with the increasing need to upgrade and replace aging bridges.

     Act 218, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, expedites the bridge rehabilitation and replacement program by providing a temporary exemption from certain state land use and environmental requirements.  This exemption is set to expire on June 30, 2017.  The extension of time authorized by this measure will allow the Department of Transportation to complete construction of the listed bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects in the most efficient manner possible.

     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 S.B. No. 1016, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair