LIHU‘E — Repeal PLDC is on the House menu today. A joint committee hearing will deal with more than a handful of bills related to the controversial law that created the Public Land Development Corporation. “I’m for the repeal,” said
LIHU‘E — Repeal PLDC is on the House menu today. A joint committee hearing will deal with more than a handful of bills related to the controversial law that created the Public Land Development Corporation.
“I’m for the repeal,” said Rep. Dee Morikawa, D-16th District, adding that there are some specifics projects in which she thinks the law could be useful.
“But I still think the counties should have a say in it,” she said.
The House Water and Land, and Finance committees begin to hear the bills at 9 a.m. today at the state Capitol’s auditorium.
Morikawa is a member of the Finance Committee, and Rep. Derek Kawakami, 14th District, is a member of the Water and Land Committee.
On May 20, 2011, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed Act 55, which created the PLDC, a five-member corporation with broad powers to develop public lands — including 1.8 million acres of ceded lands — while circumventing county zoning laws.
House Bill 1133 repeals Chapter 171C of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, related to PLDC, and also repeals the requirement that the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority assist PLDC in developments. The bill transfers certain assets of the PLDC to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
HB 589, nearly identical to HB 1133, also repeals PLDC. The main difference in this bill is that it transfers the PLDC assets to a land conservation fund.
HB 942 deletes Public Lands Development Corporation from the law and replaces it with a Harbors and Parks Development Authority, narrowing the scope of the law to focus on “state small boat harbors, boating facilities and parks.” The bill would also add two governor-appointed members to the board. There are several other substantial changes in the proposal.
HB 1134 changes PLDC name to Public Private Partnership Corporation and adds two non-voting board members. One of those members would be a governor-appointed cultural expert, and the other would be an expert in traditional Hawaiian land use. The bill has substantial amendments, including adding teeth to historic preservation and other issues. However, the controversial exemptions from county zoning laws and other ordinances and statutes are still there.
HB 219 keeps PLDC in place, but it increases the corporation’s board membership to seven members, and requires the corporation to consult with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. It also requires PLDC to include protection of cultural practices and develop culturally sensitive plans for each project. The bill deletes exemption to state land use and county zoning laws, but leaves all other exemptions intact, including exemptions from construction standards, land improvements, construction improvements and others.
HB 593 also allows PLDC to exist. But it would require the PLDC to initiate a pilot project after the adoption of rules, and prohibits the corporation from planning, developing or implementing any additional projects until the pilot has been completed. The PLDC would have to produce an annual status report and a final report to the governor and to the Legislature. This law would sunset Jan. 1, 2016.
Visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@thegardenisland.com.
