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HCR 81

AIRCRAFT/AVIATION: Memorializes Congress to explore options for transitioning airport security responsibilities from the Transportation Security Administration to alternative models, such as delegating duties to trained airline personnel to enhance the freedom of travel experience for United States citizens

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Raymond Crews

HCR 81 requests a federal performance review under the Amended FFGA to assess whether Honolulu Rail Project is making satisfactory progress and meeting milestones.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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Bill Summary · HCR 81

Summary — HCR 81 (2025) — Request for FTA Performance Review of Honolulu Rail Transit Project

Note: Although an initial title provided elsewhere mentioned aviation security, the text of HCR 81 concerns the Honolulu Rail Transit Project (HART). This summary describes the actual concurrent resolution language.

Main purpose

HCR 81 is a concurrent resolution of the Hawaii Legislature that respectfully requests U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to initiate a performance review under the 2024 Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement (Amended FFGA) to determine whether satisfactory progress is being made to complete the Honolulu Rail Transit Project (the Rail Project).

Background and intent

  • The resolution cites long-running cost overruns, schedule delays, staffing and management problems, and legal disputes affecting the Rail Project.
  • Key historical figures referenced: original 2012 Full Funding Grant Agreement providing $1.55 billion federal funding; initial system completion target of 2020 at an estimated total cost of $5.2–$5.5 billion.
  • Updated estimates in the resolution indicate completion moved to about 2030 with a projected cost of ~$12.45 billion.
  • The State has previously provided additional support: a general excise tax surcharge produced $1.5 billion (2015) and $2.4 billion (2017) to assist the project (surcharge set to expire in 2030).
  • HART has received just over $1.1 billion in federal funding so far, with about $364 million expected as additional milestones are met.
  • The Amended FFGA (2024) and its sections (notably Sections 15 and 19) provide for Project Management Oversight (Hill International, Inc.) and give federal authority to review HART’s performance.

Key provisions

  • Requests that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the FTA initiate a performance review under the Amended FFGA to determine whether satisfactory progress is being made to complete the Rail Project.
  • Directs that certified copies of the concurrent resolution be transmitted to:
    • U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy,
    • The Federal Transit Administration,
    • Hill International, Inc. (Project Management Oversight consultant),
    • The Executive Director and Chair of the Board of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

Who would be affected

  • Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) — subject of the requested review and potential increased federal oversight.
  • City & County of Honolulu and local taxpayers — potential implications for project funding, schedule, and local financing obligations.
  • Federal agencies (FTA, U.S. DOT) — asked to exercise review authority under the Amended FFGA.
  • Hill International, Inc. — as the FTA’s Project Management Oversight consultant, is a direct recipient of the resolution copies and plays a role in monitoring.

Procedural/timeline aspects and status

  • Introduced: February 20, 2025.
  • Consideration: Referred to committees, reported favorably, adopted by the House and Senate (concurrence vote 39–0 in the Senate).
  • Enrolled and signed by legislative leaders; transmitted to the Governor and signed.
  • Final actions: Signed by the Governor June 20, 2025; presented to the Secretary of State per House rules June 11, 2025.
  • Classification: Concurrent resolution — non-binding on federal agencies (it memorializes/requests federal action rather than imposing legal obligations).

Potential implications

  • If the FTA acts on the request, it could lead to a formal performance review that may result in increased federal oversight, conditional release or withholding of future federal funds tied to milestones, and recommendations for corrective actions or management changes.
  • The review could influence local policy decisions, public scrutiny, and future state or city funding needs.

Sponsors and related measures

  • Primary sponsors: Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Shimizu, Ward, Raymond Crews; cosponsor: Muraoka.
  • Related/companion bill: HR 74.

This resolution seeks heightened federal scrutiny of the Rail Project through an Amended FFGA performance review to assess progress, financial stewardship, and project management.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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