HB 184 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.

Summary

Prohibits a person under the age of fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Prohibits a person sixteen years of age or older from operating a class 3 electric bicycle unless the person satisfies certain requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Feb 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB184 → HB184_HD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill redefines electric bicycle classifications and updates operator requirements for Class 3 e-bikes in Hawaii. It adds specific definitions for Class 1, 2, and 3 electric bicycles based on motor assistance and speed limits, and establishes age-based licensing rules for operating Class 3 e-bikes. The bill also expands the definition of 'bicycle' to include electric bicycles and sets a future effective date of July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill's applicability is limited to counties with a population of 500,000 or more, and it specifically regulates Class 3 electric bicycles while allowing unrestricted operation of Class 1 and 2 e-bikes for all ages.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric bicycles based on motor assistance type and maximum speeds (20 mph for Class 1 and 2, 28 mph for Class 3).

Added definition for 'electric bicycle' as a bicycle with operable pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts, excluding high-speed electric devices.

Modified the definition of 'bicycle' to include electric bicycles as a recognized vehicle type.

REQUIREMENT

Established age-based licensing requirements: Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited for operators under 15, and operators aged 16+ must have a valid driver's license, motorcycle instruction permit application, or pass the general driver knowledge exam.

Created an exemption allowing any individual to operate Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles regardless of age.

SCOPE

Limited the bill's application to counties with a population of 500,000 or more.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from immediate enactment to July 1, 3000.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 387) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Grandinetti, Evslin, Kitagawa, La Chica, Miyake, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled.

lower

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors