|
THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
139 |
|
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING A TASK FORCE BE CONVENED TO EXAMINE SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC MASS TRANSIT PROJECTS IN APPROPRIATE CITIES AND COUNTRIES AND DEVELOP OPTIONS TO REDUCE COST AND RETURN INCREASED VALUE TO RESIDENTS FROM FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE STATE FOR PUBLIC MASS TRANSIT.
WHEREAS, public transit is important because it has been proven to reduce the cost of transit for taxpayers, reduce the cost of transit for commuters, reduce traffic, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase efficiency, increase access to new areas in the urban core for housing and mixed use communities, and increase jobs; and
WHEREAS, funding for public mass transit projects such as the City and County of Honolulu's Skyline project has historically been through the county surcharge on the general excise tax, of which approximately two thirds is paid for by the general public and one third is paid for by visitors to the State; and
WHEREAS, major national and global mass transit projects are typically funded through mechanisms that are designed to reduce project costs on taxpayers at large, including Tax Increment Financing, lease renting on land, and partnering with urban developments made possible by mass transit access; and
WHEREAS, the counties may find there is public benefit to establishing or expanding public mass transit projects in the future to serve additional areas and communities; and
WHEREAS, should state funds made available for public transit be considered as a source of funding for establishing or expanding public mass transit projects in the future, opportunities to reduce cost and increase the value to residents from funds made available by the State for public mass transit; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that a task force is requested to be convened to examine successful public mass transit projects in appropriate cities and countries and develop options to reduce costs and return increased value to Hawaii residents from funds made available by the State for public mass transit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transportation and the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts are requested to co-chair the task force; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following members or their designees are requested to be included on the task force:
(1) Hawaii's congressional delegation;
(2) The Director of Transportation;
(3) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;
(4) The Coordinator of the State Transit-Oriented Development Council;
(5) The Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; and
(6) Any other members the co-chairs deem appropriate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2025, 2026, and 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be dissolved on June 30, 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to members of the Hawaii congressional delegation; Director of Transportation; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; and Coordinator of the State Transit-Oriented Development Council.
Public Mass Transit; Department of Transportation; Counties; Task Force; Report