STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3692

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2021

H.D. 2

S.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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2021, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs 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) Require all public schools in the State to prohibit high-speed electric devices on public school campuses;

(4) Prohibits electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses;

(5) Authorize 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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Windward Coalition, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Kauai Path, Ulupono Initiative, and four individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary, Department of the Attorney General, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that electric mobility devices represent an affordable and cleaner transportation solution for many residents in the State. The widespread adoption of electric bicycles and other electric mobility as alternative modes of transportation necessitates the establishment of safety guidance to ensure roadway safety for individuals operating these devices and other road users. This measure will create a comprehensive statutory framework to support the sale and safe operation of electric bicycles and other electric mobility devices in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of March 22, 2075, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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. 2021, H.D. 2, S.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, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair