STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1054-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1856

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1856, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC REGULATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the counties to regulate or impose restrictions on the manner of use of certain streets, highways, thoroughfares, or roadways.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Maui County Council; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; and Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties.

Your Committee finds that the heightened usage of streets, highways, thoroughfares, and roadways has led to traffic congestion that surpasses original capacity. Your Committee further finds that many of these streets, highways, thoroughfares, and roadways were not initially constructed to meet robust safety standards and lack the necessary infrastructure to support the current level of usage. As a result, the counties are unable to fully address the inherent risks associated with antiquated designs. This measure will empower counties to establish access limits, thereby ensuring the safety of residents and visitors who use these streets, highways, thoroughfares, and roadways.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the authority to restrict access does not include pedestrian access;

(2) Clarifying that properties exclusively accessible via the streets, highways, thoroughfares, or roadways being regulated or restricted shall remain accessible without undue impediment; and

(3) 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1856, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1856, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair