Honolulu Council acts to repeal outdated city transit ordinances
Grassroot's Ted Kefalas said the two laws are no longer relevant, and he hopes the Council will continue to target outdated laws
from Grassroot Institute
The Honolulu City Council approved a Grassroot-supported bill on Wednesday that, pending approval by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, will repeal two city ordinances that no longer are relevant.
The two sections of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu that were targeted by Bill 9 regulate rental cars and tour vehicles.
Ted Kefalas, Grassroot director of strategic campaigns, pointed out in testimony that state law made city regulation of rental cars obsolete in 1988 when the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs took oversight of the industry.
Likewise, the city’s law setting rates for tour vehicles is likely preempted by the state Public Utilities Commission, which regulates common carriers such as tour operators, freight trucking companies and interisland shipping.
Kefalas said he “welcomed this move to repeal both of these articles,” and hoped that enacting Bill 9 will be "the first step toward removing more outdated parts of the city code.”
Also in Honolulu, Grassroot submitted testimony in support of Bill 39, which would change the affidavit requirements for building permits to streamline the approval process. The bill passed first reading.
Meanwhile, on Hawaii Island, Grassroot submitted testimonies this week to the Hawai‘i County Council in support of Resolution 556-24 and Bill 173.
The resolution, heard on Wednesday by the Council's Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, calls for an economic evaluation of the short-term rental industry on the island. Approved 7-1, it will be heard next by the full Council.
Bill 173, considered by the full Council on Tuesday, would lower the county’s assessment cap for homeowners and affordable rentals from 3% to 2.5% — a small but important tax reduction. Despite Grassroot’s support, the Council opted to postpone the bill indefinitely.