To date, HBL has submitted testimony for 20 different bills this session. On the legislative calendar today is known as “1st Lateral.” This means all bills referred to more than one committee (i.e., those with multiple referrals) must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by this day.
We are reviewing new committee reports and amendments to various measures. The bills that are moving will also take on qualifiers after the bill number, noting an updated draft (i.e. SD, 1 or HD 1). Future testimony should reference the most updated version of the bill and consider the latest committee report(s). You can see our bill tracking sheet with information about proposed legislation we are following most closely, including our general position.
A brief overview of where things stand in key areas follows:
Electric Bicycles:
The House and Senate have demonstrated agreement in updating definitions and adopting a 3-tier classification system, as is common in more than 40 states. HBL appreciates this update. There is intent to add regulations for class 3 electric bicycles and we are monitoring these. Our general position is that the highest threat to safety comes from devices that exceed the wattage and speed of class 1, 2, and 3 bicycles. These unclassified devices should be defined in statute and their operation should be separately regulated apart from bicycles, including electric bicycles.
E-Mobility Rebate:
The House and Senate have demonstrated agreement to improve the rebate program, further encourage the purchase and use of adaptive electric bicycles, electric bicycles, electric mopeds, and other electric mobility devices. However, due to the fluid and rapidly evolving nature of federal funding, financial commitments are being omitted from bills to allow for further discussion in future committees.
Safe Routes To School (SRTS):
HBL has been a champion for the establishment and funding of the SRTS Advisory Committee since 2023 and before. During the their first year, the Committee had no designated Chair and could not meet. In 2024, the Committee began meeting, identifying priorities and issued it’s first annual report to the Legislature in December. In this comprehensive report, the Committee provides a deep dive on the SRTS ecosystem and lays out a plan to maximize impact for improving safety, especially for keiki walking, riding and rolling to school. A key need is to establish a more permanent funding source for these initiatives as the Legislature only provided two years of dedicated funding.
Several bills to strengthen SRTS have been introduced and remain viable. These include HB 1471, HD 1 and SB 1124, SD1, and HB 1231, HD 1. However, due to the fluid and rapidly evolving nature of federal funding, specific dollar amounts of appropriations are being pulled from bills to allow for further discussion. We are continuing monitor this development and ask you to as well.
Open Streets
The House and Senate demonstrated support for establishing Open Streets as a pilot project. This is a concept more than 50 years old and adopted in more than 400 cities worldwide, allowing people to experience streets and roads with no cars for a few hours on certain days. There was some disagreement whether this pilot program should apply statewide or just on the Neighbor Islands. HBL believes that everyone deserves to experience Open Streets, no matter which county you live in.
We are continuing to meet with lawmakers to provide additional context about our positions. Your voice is welcomed to leverage our impact.
Please contact Advocacy Director, Eduardo Hernandez if you have any questions.
Read our other recaps below: