STAND. COM. REP. NO. 71-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2179

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2179 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require, rather than authorize, the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Education Program; and

(2) Require the Traffic Safety Education Program to include electric bicycles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that the increasing popularity of electric bicycles in Hawaii has led to a rise in safety concerns, including a significant number of accidents and fatalities involving cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Your Committee further finds that requiring the Department of Education's Traffic Safety Education Program to include education on electric bicycle riding safety will promote safe riding practices and compliance with traffic laws.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

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

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. 2179, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Transportation.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair