Hawaii House Bill HR133

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 3/28/24
• Refer: 3/28/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Conduct A Feasibility Study On Identifying And Facilitating The Repair And Transfer Of Private Or Disputed Roads.

Impact

If successful, the findings from the feasibility study could lead to comprehensive inventory and prioritization of privately owned and disputed roads, laying the groundwork for significant investments in road maintenance and safety. The study would consider factors like traffic volume and road conditions to establish which roads are in greatest need of attention. Furthermore, the promotion of transfer agreements between the state and counties for road ownership could create a more organized and accountable system for managing these roads.

Summary

House Resolution 133 requests the Department of Transportation of Hawaii to conduct a feasibility study aimed at addressing the critical issue of privately owned or disputed roads within the state. These roads often suffer from neglect as their ownership remains unclear, leading to a situation where state and county agencies are hesitant to perform necessary maintenance due to potential implications on ownership rights. The resolution highlights the safety concerns for individuals traveling on these poorly maintained 'roads in limbo.' The bill seeks to identify these roads and streamline processes for their repair and ownership transfer.

Contention

While the bill presents a constructive approach to resolving long-standing issues related to road ownership and maintenance, it may also lead to debates over the implications of transferring road ownership and responsibilities from the state to county jurisdictions. There may be concerns regarding funding and resource allocation, especially in relation to accessing federal funds. Stakeholders could express differing views on the effectiveness of the proposed solutions, particularly in terms of how they align with community needs and the challenges faced in rural areas.