STAND. COM. REP. NO.  139

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 491

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 H.B. No. 491 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SIDEWALKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a two-year Pilot School Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair Program to require each county to maintain and repair sidewalks in school zones or other areas of significant school-related pedestrian traffic.

The Department of Education, the Member representing the Fifth District on the Hawaii County Council, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.

     Your Committee finds that policies that make it safer and easier for students to walk to school provide many public benefits including reduced traffic congestion and carbon dioxide emissions from reduced vehicular use, increased opportunities for healthy exercise, and increased sense of community.  However, many sidewalks in school zones and other areas of significant school-related pedestrian traffic are unsafe because of aging and lack of proper maintenance and repair.

     Your Committee further finds that each county is authorized to maintain and repair sidewalks in certain instances, and also administers its own sidewalk maintenance program.  This measure would assist the counties in maintaining and repairing sidewalks while providing safer routes for school-related pedestrian traffic.

     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 H.B. No. 491 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair