STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1175-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2021

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. 2021, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles;

(2) Prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations;

(3) Establish labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles;

(4) Prohibit the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations;

(5) Define "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle";

(6) Amend the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes;

(7) Authorize the seizure of non-road-legal, nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices;

(8) Define "electric micro-mobility device" and require the same regulations as electric foot scooters;

(9) Prohibit a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision;

(10) Authorize a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances;

(11) Prohibit a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet;

(12) Repeal the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes; and

(13) Substitute the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Kauaʻi Police Department; Department of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu; Honolulu Police Department; AAA Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Ulupono Initiative; Hānai Kaiāulu; and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that as electric bicycles, electric devices, and other micro-mobility devices become more widely used, the State needs to ensure that there are clear regulations on when and where these different types of transportation can be utilized. This measure provides the necessary statutory framework to support safe riding standards, improve road safety, improve transparency, and promote education and compliance.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the language regarding when the directors of finance, any person authoritatively acting on behalf of a director of finance, or any member of a county police force can seize a non-road-legal, nonconforming electric bicycle or high-speed electric device;

(2) Changing the effective date to upon approval; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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. 2021, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2021, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair