HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	229
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 291C-55, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§291C-55[]] Oversized commercial vehicles; prohibition from using left lane. (a) Upon any roadway having three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, no commercial vehicle weighing ten thousand pounds or more nor any motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer, as defined in section 286-2, shall be driven in the far left lane unless:

(1) The commercial vehicle or motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer is able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow; and

(2) The commercial vehicle or motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer is in the process of overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement.

(b) This section shall not apply to [commercial]:

(1) Commercial vehicles or motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer occupying the left lane for the purpose of turning left or exiting, or preparing to turn left or exit[.]; and

(2) Motor vehicles used for public transit, school buses, and authorized emergency vehicles.

(c) Violation of any of the provisions of this section shall subject the violator to the following penalties:

(1) For a first violation, the person shall be fined not more than $           ;

(2) For a second violation under this section, the person shall be fined not more than $           ; and

(3) For a third or subsequent violation committed within three years of a violation under this section, the person shall be fined not more than $           , attend a traffic safety course, or both.

(d) This section shall apply only to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more.

[(c)] (e) For the purposes of this section, "commercial vehicle" shall have the same meaning as in section 291-11.5. "Commercial vehicle" does not include buses or van pools operated by the counties."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Traffic Code; Oversized Commercial Vehicles; Towing; Restrictions; Penalties

Description:

Restricts motor vehicles that tow a motor vehicle or trailer from the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes going in the same direction with exemptions. Specifies penalties for restricted motor vehicles who drive in the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes moving in the same direction. Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

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