§279E-5  Staff and funding.  Each
MPO shall have a full-time staff independent of state and county agencies.  The
MPO policy committee shall appoint all members of the staff, none of whom shall
be subject to chapter 76.  All other benefits generally applicable to the
officers and employees of the State shall apply to staff members of the MPO and
be retroactive to the effective date of initial hiring for existing staff. 
Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit the MPO from utilizing, through
contractual arrangements, the staff resources of other local agencies, state
agencies, and other quasi-public or private organizations to assist the MPO in
its functions.



During the remainder of fiscal year 1975 and
during fiscal year 1976 each such MPO is authorized to have not less than the
equivalent staff positions authorized for the present organizations responsible
for metropolitan transportation planning and designated in accordance with the
provisions of 23 United States Code 134.



There is established in the state treasury for
the department of transportation a revolving fund of $30,000 to be known as the
OMPO revolving fund which shall be administered by the director of
transportation.  The moneys in the fund shall be appropriated from the highway
fund, and may be expended by the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization for
its operation.  The OMPO revolving fund shall be replenished when OMPO receives
reimbursements from federal agencies. [L 1975, c 180, §5; am L 1976, c 37, §2;
am L 1978, c 186, §1; am L 2000, c 253, §150]