NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), notice is hereby given that the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Highways Division, will hold a public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed Chapter 19-109, Hawaii Administrative Rules, “Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund”.
The purpose of the proposed rules is to implement Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section 291C-4 which requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules to:
a. Establish in the state treasury the safe routes to school program special fund, into which shall be deposited:
i. Assessments collected for speeding in a school zone, pursuant to HRS section 291C-104; and
ii. Safe routes to school program surcharges collected in accordance with HRS sections 291-16 and 291C-5.
b. Establish a formula by which the moneys in the fund shall be distributed to each county and provide how counties shall expend the moneys for the purposes under HRS section 291C-3 in public school zones.
The proposed Chapter 19-109 is composed of the following sections:
§19-109-1 Purpose
§19-109-2 Definitions
§19-109-3 Safe routes to school program special fund
§19-109-4 Transfer of funds
§19-109-5 Expenditure of funds
§19-109-6 County safe routes to school program coordinators
§19-109-7 Reporting requirements
§19-109-8 Severability
Over the past two to three decades, there has been a significant rise in obesity and physical inactivity in children. The impact on heath and health-care costs is high and will continue to rise dramatically. Air quality and traffic congestion around schools has also become an issue.
Safe routes to school (SRTS) is an international effort to increase safety and promote walking and bicycling to/from school. SRTS can be part of the solution to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, reduce traffic congestion around schools, reduce emissions and improve children’s health. In addition, the proposed rules would provide funds to plan, develop, implement and evaluate SRTS infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, which will benefit Hawaii’s economy.
The public hearing will be held on November 21, 2013 at 9:00 am by video conference at the following Department of Transportation Highways Division district offices:

Oahu District
727 Kakoi Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

Hawaii District
50 Makaala Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Kauai District
1720 Haleukana Street
Lihue, Hawaii 96766

Maui District
650 Palapala Drive
Kahului, Hawaii 96732

Interested persons are invited to present their views on the proposed rules at the public hearing. Written comments will be accepted until December 2, 2013, at the following address:

Hawaii Department of Transportation
Highways Division
Traffic Branch
601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 602
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707

A copy of the proposed rules may be requested by calling 692-7696 or writing to the address above. Upon receiving such a request, a copy will be mailed at no cost to the requestor. Copies may also be obtained or reviewed at the Highways Division district offices located in Mapunapuna, Oahu; Hilo, Hawaii; Kahului, Maui; and Lihue, Kauai; from Monday through Friday (except state holidays), between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The proposed rules may also be viewed online at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/doing-business/hawaii-administrative-rules/.
Persons with disabilities requiring special assistance should call 692-7696 at least 10 days before the hearing.
GLENN M. OKIMOTO, Ph.D.
Director of Transportation
(SA563239 10/22, 10/27, 11/18/13)~