STAND. COM. REP. NO. 337

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 600

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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 600, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive statewide safe routes to school plan to advise the State on strategies that provide safe and secure alternatives for children to get to and from school.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Hawai‘i Bicycling League, Ulupono Initiative, AlohaCare, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Get Fit Kaua‘i, and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Transportation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that providing students with a safe route to bike or walk to school promotes their health and safety, which is especially crucial in rural and low socioeconomic communities where there is a higher risk of pedestrian and bicycling injuries. The establishment of a safe routes to school advisory committee will ensure that all invested stakeholders are involved in developing a comprehensive statewide strategic plan to establish the routes children need to get to and from school safely.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 600, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair