STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1462

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 809

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 809, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the scope of the electric bicycle and electric moped rebate program to include electric micro-mobility devices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Hawaii State Energy Office; Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Bicycling League; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that this measure supports the proliferation of low-emission transportation options, including micro-mobility options which can reduce transportation emissions. For Hawaii to meet its statutory target to sequester more greenhouse gases than emitted as soon as practicable but no later than 2045, significant reductions in emissions from ground transportation will need to be made. Your Committee further finds that this measure may be particularly impactful in reducing fossil-fuel powered vehicle miles traveled and related transportation emissions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Placing the appropriation sections in a new part for clarity;

(2) Reducing the rebate amount that an eligible purchaser shall receive to twenty percent of the retail cost of the electric bicycle, electric moped, or electric micro-mobility device or $250, whichever amount is lower;

(3) Reducing the total rebate amount an eligible purchaser may receive during each fiscal year from $500 to $250;

(4) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised during the hearing regarding safety issues. Therefore, your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to pursue a definition of "electric micro-mobility devices" from the Department of Transportation for purposes of the Statewide Traffic Code, as it relates to user and pedestrian safety and determine whether these types of devices should be permitted to be used on sidewalks. Your Committee further notes that under section 291-145(g), HRS, no person shall ride a bicycle equipped with a motor on any sidewalk.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, consider whether the appropriations for fiscal year 2022-2023 are necessary and if so, to insert the appropriate constitutional language relating to emergency appropriations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 809, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 809, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair