HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOREDC 030 2022/11/01 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,
RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: November 1, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 1078/Res. No. 598-22
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development,to which
was referred Resolution No. 598-22, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 598-22, transmitted by Council Vice Chair Aaron S. Y. Chung, via
Communication No. 1078 dated October 19, 2022, urging the Hawaii State Legislature to
amend Sections 46-16.8 and 243-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to allow for a percentage of
General Excise and Fuel Taxes generated by the counties, pursuant to those statutes,to be used
for maintenance of private roadways that are open to the public.
Mr. Chung to introduce the resolution, explaining that the issue has been discussed for the past
five to six years. He stressed that he wrote in the term maintenance to emphasize that it is not
intended for full reconstruction of roads,just filling in of pot holes and the like.
Council Chair Maile David thanked Mr. Chung for creating the resolution and noted that the
public uses many of these private roads and that emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and
ambulances also use the roads.
Council Member Rebecca Villegas asked Corporation Council, Judge Elizabeth Strance, to
provide clarity on the legality of the resolution. Judge Strance noted that the measure does not
require that the County use taxes to maintain private roads but instead requests that the counties`
authority be expanded to allow for flexibility to better meet residents' needs. If the State were to
pass legislation to this effect, it would be up to the State Legislature to make sure all necessary
statutes are aligned with the new policy.
Mass Transit Administrator, John Andoh, added information about some new Federal funds that
he is trying to secure that would allow subdivision associaitons to apply for matching funds to
pay for and contract for fixing their private roads.
Committee Chair Heather Kimball concluded the discussion by stating that she will support the
measure because it expands home rule for the County.
GOREDC Report No. 30
GOREDC-30 Page 2 November 1,2022
The vote was taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation passed with nine "ayes."
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development is in
accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 598-22, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS, RELATIONS, AND
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY x ATHER L. KIMBALL, CHAIR
RICHARDS X GOREDC REPORT NO.: 30
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: NOV 1 6 2022