[§279E-7]  Functions of theMetropolitan Planning Organization.  The functions of each MetropolitanPlanning Organization shall include:

(1)  Serve in an advisory capacity to the legislature,the legislative body of the county, and the appropriate state and countyagencies in carrying out continuous, comprehensive and cooperativetransportation planning and programming for the county as required by federallaws and rules.

(2)  Obtain information and plans from the appropriatecounty and state agencies to formulate a short-range six-year transportationplan for the county and an annual update of that plan, and a master multi-modallong-range transportation plan for the county in order to advise thelegislature, the legislative body of the county, and other appropriate agenciesregarding those plans.

(3)  Review the capital improvement programs of boththe county and State for urbanized and rural areas of the county as theyconcern transportation.

(4)  Integrate transportation planning for the countywith a statewide transportation planning program authorized by Act 218, SessionLaws of Hawaii 1974.

(5)  Develop recommendations to the state legislatureand the legislative body of the county regarding transportation policy matters.

(6)  Act as liaison with the intermodal planning groupof the Secretary of Transportation.

(7)  Coordinate the mathematical modeling essential tothe transportation planning process of the county.

(8)  Ensure a continuing, comprehensive transportationplanning process carried on cooperatively by the State and the county.

(9)  Develop a formula for the distribution ofmetropolitan planning funds which shall consider but not necessarily be limitedto population, status of planning, and metropolitan area transportation needs,and submit this formula for approval by the Secretary of Transportation.

(10)  Receive and distribute, as necessary, federalfunds under Section 112 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, the Urban MassTransportation Act of 1964, as amended, Section 13 of the Airport and AirwayDevelopment Act of 1970, as amended, and Section 5 of the Urban MassTransportation Act of 1964, as amended.

(11)  Receive and distribute, as necessary, such otherfunds as may become available to support metropolitan transportation.

(12)  Advise on plans, projects and programs requiringaction by the state legislature or the legislative body of the county whichhave been submitted for review to the MPO.

(13)  Undertake such other functions as may becomeappropriate in an advisory capacity to ensure a joint planning process betweenthe county and the State, and advise appropriate legislative bodies andagencies, as necessary.

(14)  If the MPO finds that it is necessary to have acitizens' advisory group to present technical or other expert opinions or factsto the MPO then such a group may be formed. [L 1975, c 180, §7]