HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	111
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of transportation to establish an indirect traffic disruption grant program.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, unplanned road closures, detours, blockages, and utility disruptions caused by state and county roadwork can significantly impair access to homes and businesses; and

 

     WHEREAS, such disruptions may result in substantial economic hardship for small businesses, including loss of property access, prolonged detours, reduced customer traffic, and measurable loss of business revenue; and

 

     WHEREAS, the establishment of a grant program could provide relief to impacted property owners and small businesses affected by government facilitated roadwork, strengthen local economies, support community resilience, and ensure that essential public infrastructure work does not disproportionately burden property owners and businesses who rely on stable public access for their livelihoods; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Transportation is requested to establish an Indirect Roadwork Disruption Grant Program to provide grants to property owners and small businesses impacted by unplanned road closures, detours, blockages, or utility disruptions caused by state or county roadwork or roadwork conducted by a public utility or contractor pursuant to a work order issued by the State or a county; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to develop a process to provide grants to:

 

     (1)  Property owners that demonstrate property access loss or prolonged detours; and

 

     (2)  Small businesses that demonstrate verifiable loss of business access or revenue; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to establish criteria for the provision of grants, including:

 

     (1)  Any notice of the state or county roadwork or roadwork conducted by a public utility or contractor pursuant to a work order issued by the State or a county that was provided to the public, property owner, or small business;

 

     (2)  Duration of the roadwork;

 

     (3)  Severity of the roadwork; and

 

     (4)  Economic impact to the property owner or small business; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to collaborate with the counties to administer the Indirect Roadwork Disruption Grant Program for situations involving impacts from roadwork performed jointly by the State and a county; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of Regular Session of 2027, a progress report on the Indirect Roadwork Disruption Grant Program that includes, at minimum:

 

     (1)  The number of applications for grants submitted;

 

     (2)  Total number and amount of grants awarded;

 

     (3)  A timeline and deadlines for the grant process; and

 

     (4)  Any other findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and Mayors of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Transportation; Counties; Indirect Roadwork Disruption Grant Program