STAND. COM. REP. NO. 202

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 708

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. 708 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and regulate insurance coverage for the operation of electric bicycles in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender; Kauai Path, Inc.; PeopleForBikes Coalition; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; Get Fit Kauai; and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that the increasing popularity of electric bicycles in Hawaii has led to a rise in accidents and injuries involving these vehicles, highlighting a gap in the existing insurance and liability framework. Many electric bicycle operators are not required to carry insurance, leaving riders and other individuals on the road vulnerable in the event of an accident. This measure ensures the safety and accountability of electric bicycle operations by mandating liability insurance.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting all references to class 1 electric bicycles and class 2 electric bicycles;

(2) Amending the definitions of "class 3 electric bicycle" and "electric bicycle";

(3) Specifying that electric bicycle insurance requirements only apply to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more;

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

(5) 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. 708, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 708, 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