Transportation

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2667: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Amends the prohibition on the use of the far left lane by commercial vehicles on roadways with three or more lanes going in the same direction. Restricts motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer from using the far left lane, subject to specified exemptions. Establishes penalties for violations. Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more. (CD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRestricts towing vehicles in left lane to enhance traffic safety, aligning with safety enhancement indicators in transportation policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 1163: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING.

Amends requirements to commercial driver's license qualification standards to meet current federal regulations to allow the State to issue a non-domiciled commercial learner's permit and non‑domiciled commercial driver's license for applicants who are unable to provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows non-domiciled CDLs for immigrants without citizenship proof, enabling access to driver's license services per federal compliance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends commercial driver licensing to meet federal safety regulations (FMCSA), enhancing transportation safety standards under Department of Transportation oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 1688: RELATING TO A GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE.

Provides a general excise tax exemption for the sale of material, parts, or tools used for aircraft service and maintenance or for the construction of an aircraft service and maintenance facility. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for aircraft maintenance, reducing state general excise tax revenue, which weakens the tax base and budget revenue.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationTax exemption supports aircraft maintenance facilities, a subset of transportation infrastructure, aligning with transportation policy goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 31: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LICENSING, TRAINING, AND WORKFORCE PIPELINE FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Education to study how to improve the process for hiring and training school bus drivers in Hawaii. The bill addresses ongoing shortages of qualified drivers that have led to canceled routes and disrupted transportation for students, particularly in rural and neighbor island communities. The requested evaluation will examine barriers to commercial driver's licensing, coordination between agencies and private contractors, and strategies to expand testing and training access. The departments must consult with various stakeholders and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 regular session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses school bus driver shortages affecting student transportation access, particularly in rural areas, strengthening educational access and logistics.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to improve workforce pipeline and address driver shortages, supporting employment standards and workforce development for school bus drivers.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve school bus driver training and licensing, addressing workforce shortages that disrupt student transportation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 110: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING STATE-OWNED OR STATE-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES NEAR PORTS, HARBORS, AND AIRPORTS TO REDUCE MATERIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICLY FINANCED HOUSING PROJECTS.

This bill requests that Hawaii's Department of Transportation work with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group that studies whether the state should own or control warehouses and logistics centers near ports, harbors, and airports. The goal is to lower material costs for publicly funded affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses caused by Hawaii's reliance on imported building materials. The working group will examine potential sites, analyze cost savings from bulk purchasing, consider public-private partnerships, and determine what legal changes might be needed to implement such facilities. The group must include representatives from transportation, housing agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders, and will submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aims to reduce material costs for publicly financed affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency, directly supporting housing development efforts.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce transportation expenses for housing projects by evaluating state-owned logistics facilities near ports and airports, directly addressing transportation infrastructure optimization.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2423: RELATING TO BIODIESEL.

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to implement a requirement that, no later than January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in certain counties for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume, except in circumstances where the supply of biodiesel is insufficient. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature, including a comprehensive rollout plan. Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the Department of Transportation during the development and implementation of the biodiesel requirements and present DBEDT's comprehensive rollout plan to the public. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates 5% biodiesel in on-highway diesel fuel, promoting sustainable transportation fuel standards for vehicles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 154: REQUESTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI TO EXPAND THE HELE-ON SHARED RIDE PROGRAM TO SERVE THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI, INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS SUCH AS WEST HAWAIʻI, NORTH KOHALA, SOUTH KOHALA, KAʻŪ, AND PUNA.

This bill requests the County of Hawaiʻi to expand the Hele-On Shared Ride Program from its current service in east Hawaiʻi to cover the entire island, including rural areas like West Hawaiʻi, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kaʻū, and Puna. The program provides subsidized, on-demand transportation for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions who need accessible vehicles that accommodate mobility devices. The resolution asks the county to partner with local transportation providers to increase service availability in underserved areas while prioritizing accessibility and compliance with disability laws. It also encourages the county to consider phased implementation or pilot programs to manage costs and ensure sustainable expansion of the service.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly requests expansion of Hele-On shared ride program to serve entire island including rural areas, strengthening public transit access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2698: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assess a per passenger head fee against cruise ships docking in the State's commercial harbors in addition to existing port user fees. Establishes the Cruise Ship Special Fund. Repeals existing law imposing the Transient Accommodations Tax on cruise ships, effective retroactive to 1/1/2026. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes Cruise Ship Special Fund via passenger fee (replacing TAT), directly allocating tax revenue to fund transportation projects, aligning with fiscal management and program funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates Cruise Ship Special Fund via passenger fee, directly funding transportation infrastructure (harbors) under DOT, replacing prior tax with dedicated revenue stream.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1588: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the Noise Detection Camera Program in the Department of Transportation for the installation of noise detection cameras for the enforcement of noise control laws. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes DOT noise detection program under vehicle regulations, enhancing enforcement of transportation-related noise control laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1619: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions and mandates PUC planning for zero-emission transportation goals, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes EV infrastructure expansion to meet zero-emission transportation goals, reducing vehicle emissions and supporting environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions in special areas and mandates PUC involvement in zero-emission transportation planning, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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