HB1823 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a need in the state for greater emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Establishing routes to school along which children may safely walk and bicycle is especially important. The safe routes to school program is designed to encourage and enable more children to safely walk and bicycle to school, and the program has been effectively used in other states. Communities that participate in the program tailor a combination of engineering, enforcement, education, and encouragement strategies to address the specific needs of their schools.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish a bicycle and pedestrian safety program; and

(2) Form an advisory committee within the department of transportation to study ways to implement the safe routes to school program, which has been effectively used in other states.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§ - Bicycle and pedestrian safety program. (a) The department of transportation shall establish and maintain a bicycle and pedestrian safety program for adults and children.

(b) The program shall:

(1) Provide education to bicyclists and pedestrians concerning applicable laws;

(2) Provide safety education and training; and

(3) Provide information on the locations throughout the state of walking paths, bicycle paths, and roadways equipped with bicycle lanes."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to establish a bicycle and pedestrian safety program.

SECTION 4. (a) There is established within the department of transportation a temporary advisory committee to study ways to adopt and implement the safe routes to school program in communities in Hawaii.

(b) The temporary advisory committee shall include members as follows:

(1) The director of transportation or the director's designee;

(2) The state coordinator of the safe routes to school program;

(3) The superintendent of education or the superintendent's designee; and

(4) Four members of the public representing the community, to be appointed as follows:

(A) One each from Kauai and Hawaii, appointed by the president of the senate; and

(B) One each from Maui and Oahu, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The temporary advisory committee shall explore ways to implement and administer effectively the safe routes to school program in communities in Hawaii, including reviewing models used in other jurisdictions.

(d) The members of the temporary advisory committee shall select the chairperson of the committee and shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(e) The temporary advisory committee shall submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

(f) The temporary advisory committee shall cease to exist on June 30, 2009.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the temporary advisory committee to conduct research on ways to implement the safe routes to school program, coordinate support services, and reimburse expenses for members.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1823
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII