Bill Text: HI HB1968 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To North Road.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-23 - Referred to TRN, JUD, FIN, referral sheet 4 [HB1968 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1968-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1968
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO NORTH ROAD.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1. The legislature finds that North Road, located in the Ewa Beach community, is a public health threat and environmental danger to its residents and community. North Road poses a health and safety hazard for children that must traverse the road without bus service, lighting or sidewalks. Additionally, North Road subjects the 'aina to continuous toxic environmental pollution from large scale dumping with no practical solution to deal with burned out vehicles and appliances.

     The legislature finds that North Road is owned by several different entities. One portion of the road is owned privately by a golf course that mainly uses a tunnel underneath the road for traversing from one portion of the course to another.

     The legislature also finds that for all intents and purposes, North Road is a public road. It is used primarily by the public as the route out of Ewa from Iroquois Point and is the most direct route for many residents to go to church and school.

     The legislature also finds that the United States Government was the original owner of the road. Over the years the property was subdivided, and the road was sold with the surrounding parcels. The conveyance deeds reserved the right of access for the United States Government and anyone residing in or traveling to and from Iroquois Point military base, anyone entering or leaving the church, or school has rights to use the privately-owned portion of the road.

     The legislature further finds the current deed holders, YHB Ewa LLC are overwhelmed by the public use and illegal dumping and do not have the means to maintain and repair the road or to install sidewalks and lighting.  As a result, the road is in disrepair, does not have sidewalks or lighting, and often illegally dumped items and abandoned vehicles are left on this portion of the road.  This condition is a threat to public safety since there is no bus service on Iroquois Point which means that children attending school walk via North Road and could easily be injured on the road while going to school.  

     The legislature also finds that YHB Ewa LLC has expressed in writing a desire to transfer the property to the city and county of Honolulu and retain the right to continue using the tunnel underneath.  Currently, the road is not in a condition to be accepted as it lacks certain requirements under state and county regulations. In spite of the fact that North Road is almost exclusively used by the public, efforts to prompt the county, state, and even the United States Navy to act in this matter have been unsuccessful to date.

     The purpose of this bill is to establish a task force comprised of the key stakeholders to determine the procedure and cost required for the transfer of North Road to the city and county of Honolulu or other appropriate solutions.

     SECTION 2.  (a) There is established within the department of transportation the North Road task force. The purpose of the task force shall be to research and make recommendations on how to mitigate the dangers of North Road and the cost to transfer the road to the city and county of Honolulu.

     (b)  The director of transportation or the director's designee shall serve as the chair of the task force.  Members of the task force shall include:

     (1)  The director of transportation, or director's designee;

     (2)  The director of transportation services of the city and county of Honolulu, or director's designee;

     (3)  The director of planning and permitting of the city and county of Honolulu, or the director's designee

     (4)  A member of the senate whose district includes at least a portion of Ewa, who shall be appointed by the senate president;

     (5)  A member of the house of representatives whose district includes at least a portion of Ewa, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (6)  A member of the Honolulu city council whose district includes at least a portion of Ewa, who shall be appointed by the chair of the Honolulu city council;

     (7)  A member of the United States Congress whose district includes at least a portion of Ewa, who shall be appointed by the governor;

     (c)  The director of transportation shall invite the following individuals to become members of the task force:

     (1)  A representative from the United States Navy; and

     (2)  A representative from the YHB Ewa LLC corporation; and

     (3)  Any other individual whose membership, in the opinion of the chairperson, would provide a benefit to the task force.

     (d)  Members shall serve without compensation.  Members of the task force who are public officers or employees shall receive no additional compensation for service on the task force beyond their normal compensation.  No member of the task force shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation on the task force.

     (e)  The department of transportation shall provide administrative support to the task force.

     (f)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings, and recommendations, including any proposed costs and legislation, to the legislature and the Honolulu city council no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2021 regular session of the legislature.

     (g)  The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2021.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

Report Title:

Department of Transportation; Honolulu North Road; Task Force

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a task force to make recommendations to decrease environmental and safety concerns on North Road, including the cost to transfer ownership to the county.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.