Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB1256

Introduced

1/25/23

Refer

1/30/23

Caption

Relating To Bonds.

Impact

The modifications proposed in SB1256 will have a considerable impact on how private activity bonds are allocated within Hawaii. Under the new statute, any county looking to seek state allocations must first demonstrate that they have utilized their share of the allocated ceiling. This shift is expected to promote better utilization of county resources and ensure that local needs are prioritized when it comes to bond financing. The reporting requirement, which mandates counties to inform the state government of any unused bond allocations, aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the management of public finance.

Summary

Senate Bill 1256 relates to the management and allocation of private activity bonds in the state of Hawaii. The bill amends existing statutes to require counties to exhaust their own private activity bond issuance programs before seeking any state allocations. This is aimed at enhancing efficiency in the allocation process and ensuring that counties prioritize local projects first. By mandating that counties apply their own bond allocations for projects in their jurisdiction, the bill seeks to streamline the financing of projects that can spur local economic development and infrastructure improvements.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding the bill is its potential to limit the flexibility of counties that have specific projects requiring state funding. Some critics argue that the stipulation that counties must exhaust their bond allocation could hinder timely funding for urgent projects, particularly in counties with fewer resources or fewer viable projects to fund. Additionally, ensuring compliance and preventing miscommunication between the counties and state regarding bond usage may pose challenges that could affect project timelines and outcomes.