HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2516
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to helmets.

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

SECTION 1. Section 291C-139, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By amending subsection (d) to read:

"(d) No person under fifteen years of age shall operate an electric foot scooter on a highway, street, roadway, or any other public property in the State. No person under [sixteen] eighteen years of age shall operate an electric foot scooter unless the person wears a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap. The safety helmet shall meet the specifications of and requirements for a bicycle helmet as set out in section 291C-150."

2. By amending subsection (j) to read:

"(j) A person or entity that provides electric foot scooters for hire shall not rent or lease an electric foot scooter to any person unless:

(1) Each renter or lessee that is under the age of [sixteen] eighteen wears a safety helmet, as required by subsection (d), while operating the electric foot scooter; and

(2) Each renter or lessee is provided with a copy of the electric foot scooter ordinances or rules that have been adopted by the applicable county."

SECTION 2. Section 291C-150, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§291C-150[]] Bicycle helmets. (a) No person under [sixteen] eighteen years of age shall operate a bicycle upon a street, a bikeway, or any other public property unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that has been tested by a nationally recognized agency such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, [the] National Safety Council, or [the] Children's Safety Network, and is designed to fit the user and protect against head trauma. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or who rides in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

(b) No person shall operate a high-speed electric bicycle unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that has been tested pursuant to subsection (a).

[(b)] (c) A person who provides bicycles or high-speed electric bicycles for hire shall not rent a [bicycle]:

(1) Bicycle to any person unless every person who is under age [sixteen] eighteen is wearing a bicycle helmet, as required in subsection (a)[,]; or

(2) High-speed electric bicycle unless every person is wearing a helmet as required in subsection (b),

while operating the rented bicycle[,] or high-speed electric bicycle, occupying a restraining seat that is attached to the rented bicycle[,] or high-speed electric bicycle, or riding in a trailer towed by the rented bicycle[.] or high-speed electric bicycle.

[(c)] (d) A violation of this section is punishable by a fine of [not] no more than $25. The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor whose conduct violates this section shall be liable for the amount of the fine imposed pursuant to this section.

[(d)] (e) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the fines collected for a violation of this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the state general fund.

(f) For purposes of this section, "high-speed electric bicycle" means a bicycle that is:

(1) Equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of no more than seven hundred fifty watts that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling; and

(2) Ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour and equipped with a speedometer."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Helmets; Electric Foot Scooter; Bicycle; High-Speed Electric Bicycle; Required

Description:

Increases the age of an individual who is required to wear a helmet for electric foot scooters and bicycles. Prohibits a person from operating a high-speed electric bicycle, or a class 3 electric bicycle, unless that person wears a helmet.

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