The state Senate on Thursday brushed off another flare-up over the Public Land Development Corp. and moved a bill that would set up a new authority to coordinate development projects between government and the private sector.
The Public-Private Partnership Authority would work with state and county agencies and private developers on projects that could bring revenue to the state.
Senators removed a provision from the bill that would have granted counties the power to waive zoning, land use and permitting requirements on projects because some thought it was too similar to the land use exemptions given to the doomed PLDC.
Senators also restricted the new authority to three pilot projects: a film production studio on Maui, a main street redevelopment project in Wahiawa, and a county-initiated project. The authority would be established for only five years as a safeguard to ensure legislative review before it is able to expand beyond the three pilot projects.
But some senators complained that the new authority would still be too similar to the PLDC.
Sen. Russell Ruderman (D, Puna) said there has been an outpouring of opposition from his constituents concerned about the "PLDC-like nature of this bill." He said the provision granting the counties waivers from land use requirements was "glossed over" at first before being removed this week.
"There are consequences to losing the public’s trust on such issues," Ruderman told senators in a floor debate. "One of those consequences is the lingering suspicion of new public-private partnership agencies."
Sen. Laura Thielen (D, Hawaii Kai-Waimanalo-Kailua) said she shared Ruderman’s concern about the genesis of the bill and the last-minute changes that were made, "and then what’s going to happen in the second half of session, and whether we’re still going to have to monitor this so closely — every sentence, before it comes out of the conference committee at the end — to make sure that the intent doesn’t change again."
Thielen and Ruderman, both freshman lawmakers, drew rebukes from colleagues who accused them of playing into some of the hysteria surrounding the PLDC.
Sen. Clayton Hee (D, Heeia-Laie-Waialua) challenged both to specifically explain their objections. He also said Thielen’s worry that the legislation could be changed before session ends could apply to every bill before the Legislature.
Thielen said there is an implication that senators concerned about "fast-tracking development" oppose economic development, which she said is not true.
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Wheeler-Wahiawa-Schofield), who is behind the new authority and the PLDC, scolded Thielen for her characterization.
"This bill does not fast-track development," he said. "That’s very incorrect. I’m not sure where that’s coming from. I think that’s part of creating the hysteria that we really don’t need in providing solutions.
"Instead of drawing upon people’s worst fears, we should be figuring out how we can achieve their hopes."
Sen. Malama Solomon (D, Kaupulehu-Waimea-North Hilo) said that just as Thielen does not want to be considered anti-development, she is "really tired when people think that I’m anti the environment. I really am."
An emotional Solomon, her voice rising, said she and others support environmental laws but have been "blasted" for suggesting ideas such as the PLDC or casino gambling to promote economic development.
"This is what this bill is all about. This is what this Legislature is all about," she said. "Not sitting meekly by and ‘Oh, well, you know, I gotta worry about this.’ Well you know what? That’s what you’re elected to sit in that chair for. Have some na‘au (guts). Have some strength. Be proud of who we are. Make this state the most beautiful it can be."
The Senate voted 20-5 to advance Senate Bill 215 and send it to the House.
