HI HR74

Requests that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Transit Administration initiate a performance review of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project under the 2024 Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement to assess whether satisfactory progress is being made.

Notes that the Rail Project is Hawaii's most expensive publicly funded project, originally budgeted at $5.2-$5.5 billion with a 2020 completion target, but now estimated at $12.45 billion with completion pushed to 2030.

Documents that the State of Hawaii has provided $3.9 billion in bailout funding through general excise tax surcharges ($1.5 billion in 2015 and $2.4 billion in 2017), with surcharges set to expire in 2030.

Cites that Hill International Inc., the federal project management oversight consultant, repeatedly flagged the Rail Project for problems filling critical staff vacancies, and notes that HART has received $1.1 billion in federal funding with another $364 million pending.

Directs transmission of the resolution to the U.S. Transportation Secretary, Federal Transit Administration, Hill International Inc., and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's executive director and board chair.