STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3328

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 50

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 50 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING DESIGNATING, DISSOLVING, OR TRANSFERRING CERTAIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS UNDER THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Request the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study regarding designating, dissolving, or transferring certain community development districts under the Hawaii Community Development Authority; and

(2) Request the Legislative Reference Bureau to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2019.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Legislative Reference Bureau and Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Community Development Authority was established to meet the vast community development needs of providing suitable affordable housing, sufficient commercial and industrial facilities for rent, residential areas that have facilities necessary for basic liveability, such as parks and open space, and areas that are planned for mixed uses. The Authority manages three community development districts - the Kakaako Community Development District, Kalaeloa Community Development District, and Heeia Community Development District - and these community development districts are designated by law as areas dedicated for replanning, renewal, or redevelopment. After the designation, the Hawaii Community Development Authority is required to develop a community development plan, which includes community development guidance policies, a district-wide improvement program, and community development rules.

Your Committee notes that the development of new infrastructure and retrofitting of existing infrastructure are necessary in the East Kapolei area, and if the East Kapolei area is designated as a community development district, a community development plan would enable the East Kapolei Neighborhood transit-oriented development plan to more efficiently and effectively come into fruition. Your Committee further notes the extensive redevelopment that has already been completed or planned for the Kakaako Community Development District and whether the cultural and natural resources protection purposes for which the Heeia Community Development District was established may be better fulfilled by a state agency other than the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Thus, by requesting a study to assess and analyze the existing community development districts and the designation of any new community development districts under the Hawaii Community Development Authority, this measure will ensure that the goals and purposes of the Authority and the several community development districts are met.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 50 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair