SB1386

Report Title:

Hawaii Transportation Commission

Description:

Establishes a statewide transportation commission. Makes appropriation.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1386
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

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

SECTION 1. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

HAWAII TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

§ -1 Purpose. Recognizing the scarcity of resources available for all transportation development, the purpose of this chapter is to increase economic opportunities, contribute to economic development, be in the public interest and serve a public purpose, and promote the safety and welfare of the citizens within each county. The intent of the legislature is to provide a comprehensive statewide transportation planning process that is:

(1) Integrated with state transportation plans; and

(2) Provides a comprehensive blueprint for the development of mass transit, highway, airport, seaport, railroad, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities.

§ -2 Hawaii transportation commission; creation. (a) There is created a Hawaii transportation commission, to be administratively under the department of transportation. For purposes of federal law, the commission shall simultaneously function as the region's metropolitan planning organization.

(b) Membership of the Hawaii transportation commission shall consist of the following persons, appointed pursuant to section 26-34:

(1) Two nominations by the governor;

(2) Two nominations by the senate president and submitted to the governor;

(3) Two nominations by the speaker of the house of representatives and submitted to the governor;

(4) One nomination from each of the four mayors and submitted to the governor; and

(5) Director of transportation, or designee, as an ex officio voting member.

§ -3 Duties. (a) The Hawaii transportation commission shall study, plan, and implement any improvements, expansion, or enhancements at existing and future comprehensive state transportation plans.

(b) The Hawaii transportation commission may contract for the planning, engineering, economic, and other studies to provide information to members for making decisions about the location, design, management, and other features of the state transportation plan.

(c) For purposes of subsection (b), the Hawaii transportation commission shall engage in a public collaborative planning process, with recommendations made available to the public.

(d) The Hawaii transportation commission shall maintain the data, maps, and other information developed in the course of formulating a state transportation plan to ensure a consistent review of developmental trends and other relevant information for the use of and availability to other agencies and private organizations.

(e) The county council of each county shall cooperate with the respective Hawaii transportation commission.

(f) The Hawaii transportation commission shall make continuous recommendations to the respective legislative county councils and county mayors for consideration in planning surface transportation.

§ -4 Hawaii transportation plan; considerations. (a) The state transportation plan shall take into account and shall seek to harmonize the needs of the counties, towns within the counties, and the planning proposals of private organizations that may affect planning within the county. The state transportation plan shall reflect a balance of the need for multi-faceted transportation options with the need for housing, water quality and supply, infrastructure, open space, environmental habitat, historic preservation, and other components of the public well-being.

(b) The Hawaii transportation plan shall include the following:

(1) Recommendations for investments necessary to sustain the effectiveness and efficiency of transportation planning proposals;

(2) Consideration of transportation impacts associated with land use designations embodied in the general plans of the county and cities within the county and projections of economic and population growth;

(3) Consideration of strategies that conserve existing transportation system capacity, such as pricing policies, long-term land use, and transportation integration policies; and

(4) Consideration of expected transportation revenues, the impact of these estimated revenues on investment recommendations, and options for enhanced transportation revenues.

(c) The Hawaii transportation plan shall include recommended transportation improvements for the succeeding ten and twenty year periods."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________