STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1268

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1319

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1319, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRAFFIC CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize operators of bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds to proceed through an intersection on a steady red signal during certain hours if the traffic signal is controlled by a vehicle detection device that is inoperative due to the size or composition of the bicycle, motorcycle, or moped.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Indian Motorcycle Rider's Group, Street Bikers United Hawaii, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Police Department.

Your Committee finds that operators of bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds traveling during periods of lighter traffic volume during the evening and early morning hours may not trigger traffic signals, due to their weight and composition varying significantly from passenger motor vehicles. As traffic signals may not change until a car, truck, or other heavier motor vehicle approaches the intersection, operators of bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds may wait an unreasonable amount of time for a traffic signal to change. This measure ensures operators of bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds can safely navigate intersections while also ensuring a degree of personal responsibility and public safety.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1319, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair