STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1776

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 862

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 862, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve school transportation.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes the use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services, provided that certain conditions are met, pursuant to the Governor's August 2024 emergency proclamation on school bus services;

(2) Requires the State to upgrade to zero-emission school buses by 2045; and

(3) Requires state agencies to prioritize zero-emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee recognizes the critical role of school bus services in education, especially for students in rural or disadvantaged areas, and the impact that the current nationwide shortage of school bus drivers in the State has had, including route suspensions. Your Committee finds that this measure aims to address this shortage by making permanent an emergency exemption that allows the use of alternative vehicles to transport students. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii's environment will benefit from the transition to zero-emission buses by 2045 and the prioritization of zero-emission vehicles in state procurement.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 862, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair