HI HR199

Requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation to establish a Fossil Fuel Subsidy and Fare-Free Transit Fiscal Impact Working Group to analyze fossil fuel subsidies and statewide fare-free public transportation impacts.

Working group would quantify federal fossil fuel subsidies attributable to Hawaii's petroleum consumption and estimate the "true cost" per gallon of gasoline if subsidies were eliminated, including externalized environmental and health costs.

Requires modeling of ridership increases at 20%, 40%, and 60% levels to calculate reductions in vehicle miles traveled, gasoline consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term infrastructure savings.

Working group membership would include representatives from state departments, all four county transit agencies (TheBus, Hele-On, Maui Bus, Kauai Bus), University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, transportation economists, and climate/health experts.

First meeting must convene within 90 days of adoption, with a final report including fiscal tables, price modeling, emissions projections, and proposed legislation due 20 days before the 2027 legislative session.