HB626 Summary

• Establishes the State Transit Oriented Development Authority as a public instrumentality placed within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to plan and develop infrastructure at five designated rail transit stations in Hawaii.

• Creates five state transit oriented development districts with half-mile radius boundaries around the University of Hawaii West Oahu, Leeward Community College, Aloha Stadium, Kalihi, and Iwilei transit stations.

• Grants the authority power to acquire, develop, and lease state-owned lands; issue bonds for public facilities; establish development rules and plans; and enter into public-private partnerships to support mixed-use residential, commercial, and industrial development near rail transit stations.

• Requires the authority to develop district-wide improvement programs, conduct public hearings, assess fees on benefited properties, and prioritize affordable housing and pedestrian-oriented development within the designated districts.

• Takes effect July 1, 2038.