STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1227-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3234

S.D. 2

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 Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 3234, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds out of the State Highway Fund for the Department of Transportation to install all-way crosswalks at sites abutting school properties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Education; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Department of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Hawaii's roadways remain a significant public safety concern, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians. Many pedestrian crashes occur in areas with high foot traffic, including locations near schools, where students and families regularly walk to access educational facilities and nearby services. Because targeted pedestrian safety improvements can significantly reduce the risk of crashes and improve safety for pedestrians and motorists alike, this measure provides for the installation of pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties to promote safer travel routes and enhance protections for students and other pedestrians accessing school grounds.

Your Committee further finds that the companion to this measure, H.B. No. 2415, H.D. 2 (Regular Session of 2026), was previously passed by your Committee.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. No. 2415, H.D. 2, a measure that:

(A) Includes findings related to 2025 Hawaii traffic fatalities;

(B) Is in honor of Tehya Mahelona;

(C) Appropriates funds out of the State Highway Fund, Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund, and general funds for the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties, with consideration for other sites; and

(D) Clarifies the conditions for the installation of pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider appropriating a total of $5,000,000 for the installation of pedestrian safety improvements.

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. 3234, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3234, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair