Legislators Propose Several Bills to Control Selling of Public Land
In response to concerns over the sale of state lands in HCDA and A&B Properties Inc.’s proposed Kakaako Waterfront development project, legislators have introduced numerous bills focusing on the HCDA and its authority to sell public lands. On February 8th, the Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture advanced a few of these bills including, SB 2090 which provides for stronger legislative oversight of HCDA.
Lawmakers have introduced several bills in response to the proposed Kakaako Waterfront development. The bills take aim at the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the state agency overseeing the project (from the Honolulu Star Bulletin, 1/27/06).
SB 2090 - Establishes legislative oversight and approval of HCDA’s master-planning functions and the creation of community development districts before taxpayer money is spent on infrastructure.
SB 3142 - Requires legislative approval before the sale of any sale, long-term lease or transfer of public land.
SB 2476 - Requires state agricultural development corporation, HCDA and University of Hawaii to obtain legislative approval before selling lands under their respective jurisdictions.
SB 2739 - Abolishes the HCDA and returns jurisdiction over lands under the agency’s control to the city and county of Honolulu.
SB 2059 - Reimburses A&B Properties Inc. for the costs of creating its proposal for the Kakaako development.
SB 2487 - Adds two members to the 11-person board that governs the HCDA; requires one member to be appointed from a list provided by the Senate president, and one from a list provided by the House speaker.
SB 2550 - Creates Kakaako small business district and requires HCDA to solicit input from the district community when adopting or changing its master plan for the area; prohibits infrastructure and street improvements in the district until next year.