STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3130

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2021

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 Committees on Transportation and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2021, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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) Amend the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes;

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

(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 form 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!, AAA Hawaiʻi, Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21, Ulupono Initiative, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, and seven individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committees find that electric bicycles represent a rapidly growing mode of transportation. The increased affordability and accessibility of electric bicycles have made them a widely available transportation option for many people, including teens and young adults. While the adoption of electric bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation is encouraging, your Committees recognize that many children and teenagers in the State have been harmed or killed while riding electric bicycles and similar devices. The establishment of clear regulations and guidelines to support the safe operation of electric bikes and other mobility devices will reduce serious injuries and fatalities. This measure will establish a framework that balances the benefits of new mobility options with the need to ensure public safety and the efficient use of our transportation infrastructure.

Your Committees note the concern raised by the Department of Education that the Department recently issued school-level safety guidance to address growing concerns with electric bicycles and electric motorcycles on Department campuses and would like this measure to incorporate this guidance. Your Committees further note the concern raised by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs that it is necessary to clarify insurance expectations for electric bicycles and resolve any potential ambiguities. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address these concerns.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that motor vehicle insurance is not required to operate an electric bicycle;

(2) Inserting language requiring all public schools in the State to prohibit high-speed electric devices such as electric motorcycles on public school campuses;

(3) Inserting language prohibiting electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses;

(4) Inserting language authorizing public high schools to require county registration and decals for any electric bicycle brought onto its premises and deny entry or require parent retrieval for an unregistered electric bicycle; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2021, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2021, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair