THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2894
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

related to transportation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that emissions from private vehicles account for twenty-eight per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the country. The output of these emissions peaks at normal commuting hours before and after the workday. A key component to meeting the State's decarbonization goals will be the reduction of vehicle miles travelled by commuters, which can be done through several mechanisms, including public transportation. Public transit produces significantly less air pollution in comparison to a car carrying one driver, and studies have shown that bus transit is sixty times safer than driving.

The legislature further finds that opting for public transit over private vehicles for commutes helps drivers save money on fuel, insurance, parking, and vehicle maintenance costs, which can reduce the cost of living for Hawaii residents.

The legislature also finds that the State has a responsibility to lead in the decarbonization transition and should encourage the utilization of public transportation that encourages fuel efficiency per passenger mile and contributes to an overall decrease in the necessary amount of energy for transportation.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation to establish a state employee commuter benefits program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§196-   State employee commuter benefits program. (a) The department of transportation shall establish a state employee commuter benefits program that consists of one or more of the following commuter benefits options:

(1) A program, consistent with section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, allowing covered employees to elect to exclude from taxable wages costs incurred for transit passes, vanpool charges, and bicycle commuting costs up to the maximum amount allowed by federal tax law; or

(2) A program whereby the department offers state employees a subsidy to offset the monthly cost of commuting via transit, vanpool, or bicycle. The subsidy shall be equal to the lesser of the monthly cost of a transit pass or the monthly cost of a vanpool; provided that a subsidy for bicycle costs shall be in addition to subsidies for transit and vanpool costs.

(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent the department of transportation from offering a more generous commuter benefit that is otherwise consistent with the requirements of the applicable employee commuter benefits program. Nothing in this section shall require employees to change their method of commute.

(c) For purposes of this section:

"Transit pass" means any pass, token, fare card, voucher, or similar item entitling a person to transportation on public transit, including but not limited to travel by bus or train.

"Vanpool" means any highway vehicle that:

(1) Has the seating capacity of at least six adults, not including the driver; and

(2) Is reasonably expected to use at least eighty per cent of the mileage for the purpose of transporting a number of employees equal to at least fifty per cent of the seating capacity of the vehicle, not including the driver, in connection with travel between the residence and place of employment of employees."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DOT; State Employees; State Employee Commuter Benefits Program; Public Transit

Description:

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a State Employee Commuter Benefits Program that provides free or subsidized public transit to state employees.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.