STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3693

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1524

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, 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 one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, ACLU Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and two individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

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

Your Committee finds that on a per-capita basis, the State issues tickets for pedestrian violations at a significantly higher rate than other states. The fines and fees for these violations typically range from $130 to $180 and disproportionately affect low-income residents who often walk out of necessity. These punitive penalties are often justified as a safety measure; however, this enforcement-heavy approach has not reduced pedestrian injuries or fatalities in the State. This measure will reduce pedestrian fines and allow the State to emphasize other approaches to roadway safety.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of March 22, 2075, to encourage further discussion.

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

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair