STAND. COM. REP. NO. 128

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 344

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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 344 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require all skateboard users under the age of sixteen to wear a helmet while operating a skateboard.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition.

Your Committee finds that nationwide, many states and cities are focusing on developing infrastructure to support an increasing use of micromobility vehicles, including bicycles, scooters, and skateboards, for transportation. As more people opt for these methods of transportation, more accidents on roadways and streets occur that regularly result in serious injuries requiring hospital visits. Your Committee further finds that existing statute requires bicyclists under the age of sixteen to wear helmets for the purpose of protecting minors from serious injuries and head trauma. Therefore, requiring skateboarders under the age of sixteen to wear a safety helmet will align with the State's commitment to public safety.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 344, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 344, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair