STAND. COM. REP. NO. 85-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2415

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 Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2415 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Transportation to install all-way crosswalks at sites abutting school properties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that pedestrian safety around school areas is a critical concern, as children and families are particularly vulnerable to traffic-related injuries during school arrival and dismissal times. Installing pedestrian safety improvements, such as all-way crosswalks, at sites abutting school properties supports the State's commitment to Safe Routes to School Program and helps prevent avoidable injuries and fatalities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting findings related to 2025 Hawaii traffic fatalities;

(2) Specifying that this measure is in honor of Tehya Mahelona;

(3) Inserting an appropriation for $4,000,000 out of the State Highway Fund for pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties, with consideration for other sites;

(4) Inserting an appropriation amount of $1,000,000 out of general funds for pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties, with consideration for other sites;

(5) Clarifying eligible pedestrian safety improvements;

(6) Directing the Department of Transportation to prioritize the installation of pedestrian safety improvements in certain areas based on specific metrics;

(7) Authorizing the Department of Transportation to utilize nationally recognized design guidance;

(8) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(9) 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 Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2415, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2415, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair