STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1382

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1117

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1117, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle on areas designated for bicycle use;

(2) Amend the existing Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program by:

(A) Renaming the Program as the Electric Mobility Device Rebate Program;

(B) Expanding the types of devices eligible for a rebate, including adaptive electric bicycles and electric micro-mobility devices;

(C) Expanding the available rebates such that one rebate is available to all purchasers and an additional rebate is available to persons who meet certain eligibility criteria;

(D) Increasing the amount of the rebates; and

(E) Amending the administration of, and the funding for, the rebate program;

(3) Clarify the registration requirements with respect to class 3 electric bicycles;

(4) Establish a cap for the Electric Mobility Device Subaccount and requirements for transferring funds into the Subaccount;

(5) Raise the age for which a helmet is required when operating electric foot scooters from sixteen to eighteen;

(6) Repeal the age restriction on the operation of low-speed electric bicycles;

(7) Establish an age restriction of fifteen years of age for the operation of a class 3 electric bicycle;

(8) Establish regulations on the operation of electric bicycles;

(9) Raise the age for which a helmet is required when operating bicycles from sixteen to eighteen;

(10) Change all references to "motor scooters" with the term "motor-driven cycles";

(11) Establish an age restriction of eighteen years of age for the operation of electric motorcycles and motor-driven cycles; and

(12) Transfer and appropriate funds for the operation of the Electric Mobility Device Rebate Program.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Transportation Services and Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; Ulupono Initiative; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; and one individual.

Your Committees find that the growing popularity of alternative modes of transportation, including electric bicycles, electric mopeds, and other electric mobility devices, allows residents to reduce their transportation expenses while reducing their carbon footprints. However, your Committees further find that the growing incidence of persons improperly operating such devices are increasingly frustrating to all users of sidewalks and roadways and are a growing threat to public health and safety. This measure, in an effort to promote safety for all users of the sidewalks and roadways in the State, makes various amendments to the State's transportation laws to regulate the use of such devices.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1117, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair

____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair