STAND. COM. REP. NO. 947-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1780

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1780, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students who qualify for free school meals; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the provision of free bus passes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Bicycling League; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Healthy Eating + Active Living Statewide Coalition; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and 350Hawaii.org.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1780, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair