STAND. COM. REP. NO. 444-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1523

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 H.B. No. 1523 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to remove references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Get Fit Kauaʻi; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that existing statutory language governing pedestrian-control signals may unintentionally create ambiguity regarding the legal effect of countdown timers at signalized intersections. Additionally, retaining specific prohibitions tied to the initiation of a countdown may result in inconsistent enforcement and confusion for pedestrians. By removing references to countdown timers from statute, this measure simplifies the law and supports clearer, more consistent application of pedestrian traffic rules.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

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 H.B. No. 1523, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1523, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair