SB 1492: RELATING TO MOBILITY MANAGEMENT.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to mobility management.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 214, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013 (Act 214), established a task force on mobility management within the department of health.  The task force was required to make recommendations on establishing a transportation framework to assist elders and individuals with disabilities with transportation needs in each county, including recommendations relating to the state budget and program development.

     In enacting Act 214, the legislature found that Hawaii's residents, including elders and individuals with disabilities, should be able to live at home with the supports they need so that they can participate in communities that value their contributions.  The legislature also found that statewide, especially in rural communities, many residents are without family members nearby to provide transportation and are too frail or disabled to access public transit.  Transportation services are often fragmented, underutilized, or difficult to navigate and can be costly because of inconsistent, duplicative, and often restrictive federal and state program rules and regulations.  Due to these circumstances, there is a need for a policy on mobility management, a concept in which a single entity in a geographical area is charged with knowing and deploying the entire array of transportation resources available.  This system would focus on the individual and identify the best resources for that individual.

     Act 214 required the department of health to submit interim and final reports to the legislature of the task force's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.  The task force's final report, submitted to the legislature on January 30, 2015, addressed the development and establishment of a mobility management program and mobility center in a geographical area; cost and qualifications of transportation/mobility coordinators and logistics of developing a mobility center/program; and development of a mobility management master plan for each county and recommended that the State continue to support the counties' efforts in developing their respective mobility management program with the following suggested actions:

     (1)  Fund local mobility projects identified by the county as priority strategies;

     (2)  Provide state leadership and coordination for the four counties to leverage federal funding;

     (3)  Establish a statewide purchasing cooperative among the counties and human service providers to procure new vehicles, technologies, and equipment; and

     (4)  Support a permanent funding source in any future state or local tax initiative for human service transportation.

     The legislature further finds that there is still a strong need for mobility management in the State and it is critical that these recommendations are implemented.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of transportation to implement the recommendations of the task force on mobility management, established pursuant to Act 214, in consultation with the aging and disability resource center of the executive office on aging and other stakeholder groups.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the implementation of the recommendations made by the task force on mobility management, established pursuant to Act 214, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, including funding for the establishment of the following positions:

     (1)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) mobility manager position in each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui;

     (2)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) statewide outreach position; and

     (3)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) statewide coordinator position;

provided that the department of transportation shall implement the recommendations made by the task force in consultation with the aging and disability resource center of the executive office on aging and other stakeholder groups.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOT; Task Force on Mobility Management; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Mobility Management, established pursuant to Act 214, SLH 2013, in consultation with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Executive Office on Aging and other stakeholder groups. 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 240

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1492

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1492 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOBILITY MANAGEMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Mobility Management, established pursuant to Act 214, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, in consultation with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Executive Office on Aging and other stakeholder groups.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, AARP Hawaiʻi, and three individuals.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committees find that frail elders and individuals with disabilities, particularly those in rural communities, may have difficulty in accessing transportation for medical appointments, shopping, visits to family and friends, and other necessary activities.  Your Committees further find that providing appropriations to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force for Mobility Management will enable the resources, coordination, and leadership to move transportation projects forward, such as a Mobility Management Program and Mobility Center, to assist individuals in better accessing transportation resources that would enable frail elders and individuals with disabilities to live independently, participate in their communities, and experience a better quality of life.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1492 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Health and Human Services,