HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1271
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Hov lane usage.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. As traffic continues to be a main concern of many Hawaii residents, this bill would create a pilot program to help reduce traffic by increasing the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane usage.

The legislature finds that charging single occupant motorists a nominal fee to use the zipper lane may become a source of additional revenue for the State while reducing traffic on the regular freeway. The purpose of this Act is to establish a three-year pilot project for the department of transportation to develop and implement a single occupant vehicle fee of $2 per trip or $100 per month for those motorists using the zipper lane. This Act also appropriates funds to develop and implement this pilot project.

SECTION 2. (a) The director of transportation shall develop and implement a single occupant vehicle fee pilot project. The pilot project shall authorize a vehicle with a single occupant to use the zipper lane, provided that the registered owner of the vehicle shall be assessed a $2 fee for a one-way trip, or $100 per month for unlimited trips.

(b) The director of transportation shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91, necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.

(c) The department of transportation shall submit:

(1) A progress report of its findings and recommendations regarding the development and implementation of the single occupant vehicle fee pilot project to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025 and 2026. The report shall include:

(A) The status of the development and implementation of the pilot project;

(B) Proposed enforcement procedures for the pilot project;

(C) Costs incurred in establishing the pilot project;

(D) The amount of fees collected and fee collection methods;

(E) Impacts on traffic flow; and

(F) Any other matters regarding the pilot project; and

(2) A final report on the pilot project, including any recommendations for legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of developing and implementing the single occupant vehicle fee pilot project established in section 2 of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2027.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Single Occupant Vehicle Fee Pilot Project; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a three-year pilot project that authorizes a vehicle with a single occupant to use the zipper lane for a fee. Appropriates funds to the department of transportation for the pilot project.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.