STAND. COM. REP. NO. 376

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 706

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 706 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the use of a helmet by anyone under the age of sixteen while riding a skateboard.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that skateboarding, while a popular recreational activity, poses significant safety risks to the head and face. Given the serious consequences of head trauma, particularly for young people, your Committee finds that the implementation of helmet requirements for skateboarders under the age of sixteen will help mitigate the risk of serious injury.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for 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. 706, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 706, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair