Bill > SR86

This Resolution requests the Department of Transportation to increase local funding for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), which are essential regional bodies responsible for transportation planning and are crucial for accessing federal infrastructure funds. The resolution highlights that the new Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offers significant funding opportunities, but applying for and managing these funds, especially discretionary grants, requires additional resources and planning capacity. It notes that Hawaii's MPOs have historically been understaffed, potentially causing the state to miss out on federal funding, and therefore urges the Department of Transportation to provide more local funding to enable MPOs to better pursue these federal opportunities. Additionally, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization is specifically asked to provide annual briefings to the legislature on how its projects align with state transportation goals.