STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3315

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1524

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1524, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed $25; 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 Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, and five individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that laws penalizing pedestrians for violations of the statewide traffic code do not produce the desired roadway safety results. Furthermore, removing pedestrian penalties has not been found to increase adverse public safety outcomes. In Hawaii, pedestrian fines disproportionately affect low-income residents, seniors, youth, and people with disabilities as these individuals must often walk out of necessity. This measure encourages a safety-centered enforcement approach, offers a commonsense reform that reduces unnecessary harm, promotes fairness, and supports a broader transition toward streets that are safe and accessible for everyone.

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. 1524, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair