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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, <br /> RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> DATE: November 1, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 1078/Res. No. 598-22 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:30 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development,to which <br /> was referred Resolution No. 598-22, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 598-22, transmitted by Council Vice Chair Aaron S. Y. Chung, via <br /> Communication No. 1078 dated October 19, 2022, urging the Hawaii State Legislature to <br /> amend Sections 46-16.8 and 243-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to allow for a percentage of <br /> General Excise and Fuel Taxes generated by the counties, pursuant to those statutes,to be used <br /> for maintenance of private roadways that are open to the public. <br /> Mr. Chung to introduce the resolution, explaining that the issue has been discussed for the past <br /> five to six years. He stressed that he wrote in the term maintenance to emphasize that it is not <br /> intended for full reconstruction of roads,just filling in of pot holes and the like. <br /> Council Chair Maile David thanked Mr. Chung for creating the resolution and noted that the <br /> public uses many of these private roads and that emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and <br /> ambulances also use the roads. <br /> Council Member Rebecca Villegas asked Corporation Council, Judge Elizabeth Strance, to <br /> provide clarity on the legality of the resolution. Judge Strance noted that the measure does not <br /> require that the County use taxes to maintain private roads but instead requests that the counties` <br /> authority be expanded to allow for flexibility to better meet residents' needs. If the State were to <br /> pass legislation to this effect, it would be up to the State Legislature to make sure all necessary <br /> statutes are aligned with the new policy. <br /> Mass Transit Administrator, John Andoh, added information about some new Federal funds that <br /> he is trying to secure that would allow subdivision associaitons to apply for matching funds to <br /> pay for and contract for fixing their private roads. <br /> Committee Chair Heather Kimball concluded the discussion by stating that she will support the <br /> measure because it expands home rule for the County. <br /> GOREDC Report No. 30 <br />