REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ESTABLISH A FOSSIL FUEL SUBSIDY AND FARE-FREE TRANSIT FISCAL IMPACT WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY THE IMPACTS OF FOSSIL FUEL SUBSIDIES AND THE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF STATEWIDE FARE-FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a working group that studies fossil fuel subsidies and the financial effects of making public transit fare-free across the state. The group will analyze how much money the federal government currently subsidizes fossil fuels, calculate the true cost of gasoline when accounting for environmental and health impacts, and estimate the costs and savings of eliminating fares on public transportation systems. The working group must include representatives from state agencies, county transit operators, universities, and community organizations to produce a ten-year report with policy recommendations aligned with Hawaii's 2045 zero-emissions goal. This resolution does not implement any changes but instead requests a comprehensive study to inform future transportation and fiscal policy decisions.