STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1176-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1524

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1524, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish that fines for pedestrian violations of the statewide traffic code shall not exceed an unspecified amount; and

(2) Require state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that high fines for pedestrians are ineffective at producing roadway safety results. Your Committee also finds that fines for pedestrians who violate jaywalking laws can be unjustly higher than those for certain driving-related traffic violations. For example, jaywalking carries a fine of $130, while running a red light on Oahu starts at $97.28, despite the fact that running a red light carries a far greater risk to public safety. This measure will ensure that fines for pedestrian violations are reasonable, proportionate, and not unduly punitive.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that fines for pedestrian violations of the statewide traffic code shall not exceed $25; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1524, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1524, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair