THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	907
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to THE BICYCLE GRANT PROGRAM.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that bicycle usage can provide numerous benefits such as physical exercise, fewer financial expenses than a privately-owned motor vehicle, greater flexibility than public transportation, and no carbon dioxide emissions. The legislature notes that existing policies allow minors to pay their bus fare at a substantially reduced rate. Further, Act 306, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, authorizes the department of transportation to issue rebates for electric bicycles and electric mopeds to persons who are eighteen years or older. However, there is no program or policy that currently exists to assist teenagers in obtaining access to bicycles for personal use.

The legislature further finds that teenagers in high school would particularly benefit from access to subsidized bicycles, as high school students must commute between home and school, may work part-time jobs, and often lack the financial resources to purchase modes of transportation themselves. Further, a reasonably priced electric bicycle can be purchased for $2,000, and a reasonably priced non-electric bicycle can be purchased for $500.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a one-time grant program for eligible high school students to purchase an electric or non-electric bicycle to provide affordable and healthy transportation options and appropriate funds to the department of education to administer the program.

SECTION 2. The department of education shall establish and administer a bicycle grant program. All high school students enrolled in grades nine through twelve at a department of education school shall be eligible for the bicycle grant program. The bicycle grant program shall provide a one-time grant up to $2,000 to each eligible student for the purchase of an electric bicycle or non-electric bicycle.

SECTION 3. (a) The department of education shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the bicycle grant program established under section 2 of this Act to the legislature no later than forty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2024 and 2025.

(b) The report shall include:

(1) The number of applications for grants;

(2) The number of grants awarded;

(3) A geographical breakdown of grant applicants; and

(4) Information regarding the prices of electric bicycles and non-electric bicycles purchased under the bicycle grant program.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment, administration, and funding of the bicycle grant program.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Bicycle Grant Program; High School Students; Department of Education; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to establish and administer a Bicycle Grant Program for all high school students enrolled at a Department of Education school in grades nine through twelve. Requires reports to the Legislature.

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