Hawaii Senate Bill SR119

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Passed: 4/4/24

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation And Adaption Commission To Develop Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Strategies And Make Related Recommendations.

Impact

Should SR119 be implemented, it would elevate the issue of transportation emissions as a priority within state policy-making. The resolution calls for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to propose a clear vehicle miles traveled reduction target, along with associated benchmarks to evaluate progress. This could lead to significant shifts in state legislation regarding transportation and emissions, impacting not only environmental systems but also influencing urban planning and public transportation initiatives across Hawaii.

Summary

Senate Resolution 119 (SR119) aims to tackle the growing issue of transportation-related emissions in Hawaii by requesting the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to devise strategies aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled. The resolution acknowledges that vehicle miles traveled is a critical metric for tracking progress toward the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals. Since vehicle miles traveled have surged nearly forty percent over the past 25 years and are projected to keep rising without proactive measures, the resolution seeks to prompt action on this front to align with the state’s environmental objectives.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SR119 appears to be largely supportive, especially among environmental advocates who view the resolution as a necessary step toward achieving climate goals. The proactive approach to tackling vehicle emissions resonates positively with community members concerned about climate change. However, any potential impacts on local transport systems and policies needed to be examined further, indicating that while support exists, it is balanced by a cautious awareness of the implications of any new measures introduced.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention in discussions around SR119 includes the effectiveness of current strategies to mitigate vehicle miles traveled in Hawaii. Critics may question whether the measures proposed by the resolution will lead to substantial reductions in vehicle emissions, or if they will merely add layers of bureaucracy without achieving the desired outcomes. Furthermore, the collaboration between state and county agencies highlighted in the resolution is essential for addressing potential local concerns and ensuring effective implementation of new strategies.