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REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, <br />SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING <br />DATE: December 5, 2023 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawai'i <br />TIME: 4:27 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 496/Bill No. 82 <br />Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being, to which was referred Bill No. 82, <br />reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 82, transmitted by Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, via Communication No. 496 <br />dated September 18, 2023, amends Chapter 2, Article 9, Section 2-40 and adds a new article to <br />Chapter 14 of the Hawai'i County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended), relating to improving, <br />grading, repairing, or construction work upon private, nondedicated, and non -surrendered roads. <br />This bill allows for entities who are authorized to make legal decisions regarding private, <br />nondedicated, and non -surrendered roads that are open to the general public and necessary for <br />public transportation to request that the County improve, grade, repair, or perform other <br />construction work upon such roads. <br />This bill was previously heard and postponed on October 3, October 17, and November 14, 2023. <br />Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being Meeting of October 3, 2023. <br />Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder introduced Bill 82 by stating that it is a solution for the road <br />struggles the community has been facing for over 60 years. Bill 82 was developed with input from <br />community, Legislative Research Branch (LRB), Corporation Counsel (CC) and the Department of <br />Public Work (DPW). Public testimony included concerns about police, fire, ambulance, and public <br />safety issues that are compounded by poor roads. <br />Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder motioned to amend this bill with the contents of Communication 496.1. <br />It was seconded by Committee Member Holeka Inaba. <br />Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said that "shall identify feasible projects" was the important <br />wording that needed to be included based on the feedback from the DPW. The wording was <br />changed throughout to help keep the focus on what is feasible. <br />Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz said she doesn't want people to think that they fill out a <br />form and then they immediately get a road paved. She wants there to be a definition of what <br />feasibility is and clarity around that definition to keep consistent moving forward. Director of <br />Public Works Stephen Pause answered that this bill includes eligibility, funding, legal rights, and <br />PCHSW Report No. 6 <br />