STAND. COM. REP. NO.906

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1404

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1404, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPACT FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the counties' authority to assess impact fees for state highway improvements that serve new or more intensive development.

In addition, this measure establishes the highway development special fund for the department of transportation to administer county impact fees assessed for state highway projects. This measure also amends the existing impact fee law under chapter 46, part VIII, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the calculation of impact fees by allowing, rather than requiring, seven factors to be considered when enacting or adopting impact fees.

Your Committee finds that new development of land has a tremendous impact on existing roads and highways. New development leads to more motor vehicles using roadways, requiring increased repair and maintenance as well as traffic mitigation measures. Impact fees imposed on developers will help to defray the cost of highway improvements brought by development, are more predictable and equitable than case-by-case permit exactions, and are more acceptable to the public than using only public funds.

Your Committee agrees with the intent of this measure as an appropriate balance between the right of private entities to develop their land and the need of the State to maintain and improve state roadways.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1404, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair