STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 698
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 958
H.D. 2
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 958, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Require all bicycles equipped with motors to be operated only with all wheels on the ground at all times, with certain exceptions;
(2) Prohibit certain actions while operating a bicycle equipped with a motor;
(3) Prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations;
(4) Require manufacturers and distributors to apply a label to electric bicycles;
(5) Require distributors to place a sign at or near the point of sale regarding electric bicycles;
(6) Define "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle";
(7) Define "electric micro mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro mobility devices;
(8) Prohibit a person under the age of fifteen from operating a class 3 bicycle;
(9) Prohibit a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk;
(10) Authorize a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk at a speed not exceeding ten miles per hour;
(11) Prohibit a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet;
(12) Repeal the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes; and
(13) Substitute the word "motor drive cycle" with the word "motor scooter".
Your Committee finds that this measure aims to enhance safety by clarifying electric bicycle definitions, setting age restrictions, regulating sidewalk use, and requiring helmet use for minors.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Specifying that no person under the age of sixteen shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle; and
(2) 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 958, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 958, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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