STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2044-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 167

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 167, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND POLICY AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO ASSIST THE COUNTY OF HAWAII IN THE ESTABLISHMENT AND FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION OR A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Transportation to convene an intergovernmental task force to recommend policy and provide guidance to assist the County of Hawaii in the establishment and formation of a metropolitan planning organization or a regional transportation planning organization.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Hawai‘i County Council. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that metropolitan planning organizations serve as a forum for collaboration among local communities and government agencies and allow for federal funds to support projects that increase access to opportunity and prosperity through improved multimodal pedestrian, bicycle, and transit options. Establishing a metropolitan planning organization for the County of Hawaii, should the County meet the population threshold, will improve the quality of transportation services for residents and visitors and help the County of Hawaii achieve its transportation goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 167, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 167, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair