Relating To Transportation.
The bill amends Chapter 27 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, specifically allowing state agencies to perform maintenance on roads whose ownership is contested without affecting their legal claim over the jurisdiction. Furthermore, the bill provides for the transfer of ownership of these roads from the State to counties if requested, through a quitclaim process, effectively allowing counties to take responsibility for their maintenance.
House Bill 2238 aims to address the issue of disputed ownership over roads in Hawaii, often referred to as 'roads in limbo.' It recognizes the safety concerns surrounding these roads due to a lack of maintenance, as neither state nor county agencies are willing to maintain them to avoid assuming ownership. The bill outlines that government agencies can maintain or repair these disputed roads without it being construed as an assumption of ownership, thus providing a pathway to keep roads safe for public use.
Although the bill promotes public safety by facilitating road maintenance, there may be concerns regarding the implications of transferring jurisdiction to counties, as this process might lead to ambiguities in responsibilities and ownership claims. Critics may express worries about the potential for counties to face additional burdens without adequate support, while supporters view it as a necessary move to ensure that essential public infrastructure remains safe and accessible.