Bill > SB1244

This bill allows counties with a population of 500,000 or less to use general excise and fuel tax revenues for maintaining privately-owned roadways that are open to the public. Specifically, the bill amends existing Hawaii state law to expand the authorized uses of county surcharge on state tax revenues and fuel tax revenues. Currently, these funds can be used for public transportation infrastructure like roads, highways, buses, and bike paths, but the bill now explicitly includes private roadways that are open to public use in these categories. The bill requires that such private roadways must be accessible to the general public to qualify for maintenance funding. The legislature's rationale is that many privately owned roads are used by the public, and it is in the public interest to support their maintenance. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2050, which is unusually far in the future and might suggest this is a placeholder or draft legislation. By broadening the definition of eligible roadways for public funding, the bill aims to provide counties with more flexibility in maintaining transportation infrastructure that serves the public.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1244&year=2026