Hawaii House Bill HR37

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/24
• Refer: 3/8/24

Caption

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu, County Of Maui, And County Of Kauai Pass Ordinances Similar To The County Of Hawaii's Bill 82 (2023-2024) Relating To Improving Private Roads.

Impact

The passage of HR37 could lead to significant changes in how local governments manage private roads. Currently, the ability of counties to make improvements to private roads exists under state statutes, but the policies can vary significantly between counties. By encouraging a unified approach and promoting similar ordinances across counties, HR37 aims to enhance public access and safety on these roads, benefiting communities that rely on them.

Summary

House Resolution 37 (HR37) requests that the city and county of Honolulu, as well as the counties of Maui and Kauai, consider passing ordinances similar to Hawaii County's Bill 82 (2023-2024). This resolution emphasizes the need for improving private roads that are not officially dedicated or surrendered yet are utilized by the public. The bill acknowledges that many private road owners struggle with the resources necessary for maintenance and improvement, creating safety and accessibility concerns for the general public who use these roads.

Contention

While the intent behind HR37 is to improve public road safety and accessibility, there might be contention around the implications for local governance and resource allocation. Some stakeholders may argue that this could impose additional financial burdens on counties that might already be facing budget constraints. Moreover, there could be concerns regarding the extent of government intervention in private property matters, leading to a debate regarding the role of government in maintaining and improving roads that are technically private.