STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1024

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 106

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 106, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize pedestrians to act contrary to the statewide traffic code when a reasonably careful pedestrian would determine that there is no immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle if the pedestrian is more than two hundred feet from a crosswalk; and

(2) Require a driver of a vehicle to yield to a pedestrian when the pedestrian clearly indicates their intention to cross a roadway within a crosswalk.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Public Defender, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Department, Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Maui Bicycling League, and twenty individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that it is critical to prioritize the environment, health, and culture in the development, maintenance, and operation of the State's roadway and transportation systems. Your Committee further finds that existing state regulations do not adequately protect individuals and pedestrians from traffic and also create restrictions that inhibit walkability throughout the State. This measure will increase accessibility and safety throughout the State's transportation system, by approaching pedestrian infrastructure in a holistic, safe, and accessible manner.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 106, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair