STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2609

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3029

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 3029 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require each county, in collaboration with the Hawaii Community Development Authority, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities;

(2) Require each county to submit an initial proposal to the Hawaii Community Development Authority;

(3) Require a report to the Legislature; and

(4) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Hawaii Community Development Authority.

Your Committee finds that streets and public spaces are invaluable resources that can enhance community life when transformed into dynamic areas that foster greater public participation, bolster local business, and improve environmental outcomes through promoting local activities and pedestrian- and cycling-access, as done in Malmo, Sweden, in 2017. This measure will align with the State's goals of reducing carbon emissions, encouraging sustainable transportation, and promoting community health, all while supporting local businesses.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3029, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3029, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair