Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1881: RELATING TO LAND USE.

HB 1881 prohibits the construction and operation of passenger ropeways on mountain lands within all designated land use districts across the state. This bill directly affects developers, landowners, and tourism operators seeking to build such infrastructure in mountainous areas. The key provision bans ropeways universally in all land use districts, removing exceptions for specific zones or projects. The bill is currently pending a committee hearing (WAL) as of February 2026, with no final action taken yet.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationProhibits passenger ropeways, a transportation infrastructure, restricting development in mountain areas per bill's key provision.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 1692: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Part I: Requires drivers approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning signals to slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed and make a lane change if possible and safe to do so or come to a complete stop if necessary. Part II: Provides certain exemptions from passenger restrictions related to the operation of a pickup truck with a passenger seated in the bed or load-carrying area of the vehicle. Increases the minimum age to ride in the bed or load-carrying area of a pickup truck while in operation from twelve years of age to sixteen years of age. (CD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates drivers to slow and change lanes for stationary vehicles, directly enhancing road safety and preventing secondary collisions per traffic safety focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 3154: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for highway projects, as well as railroad, public transportation, or multimodal projects within the State, allowing streamlined environmental reviews. Provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to comply with federal requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines environmental reviews for highway, rail, and transit projects, facilitating infrastructure development under NEPA.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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 No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1523: RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.

Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRemoves countdown timers from pedestrian signals, weakening safety standards for crosswalks per traffic code changes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 127: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized state-level enforcement unit focused on highway safety. The resolution highlights the potential benefits of combining transportation infrastructure expertise with law enforcement authority to improve traffic management and response to incidents. It does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force, but rather serves as a formal recommendation to the relevant state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to establish a state highway police force to improve traffic safety and supplement county police efforts, which aligns with strengthening law enforcement capabilities.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes state highway police force to enhance transportation safety and reduce traffic fatalities through specialized enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 119: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a House resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized unit trained to handle highway incidents and enforce traffic laws more effectively. The resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force but instead asks the two departments to collaborate on establishing it.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill proposes creating a specialized highway police force to address traffic fatalities and improve law enforcement effectiveness, which aligns with strengthening criminal justice infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aims to enhance transportation safety by establishing a specialized highway police force to address rising traffic fatalities and improve traffic law enforcement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1641: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

HB 1641 bans the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric bicycles. It directly affects individuals who own or use these bikes and businesses that sell or rent them. The bill establishes specific penalties for violating these prohibitions. This legislation creates a clear legal restriction on high-speed e-bike activities within the state.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBans high-speed e-bike operations/sales, directly restricting vehicle use under transportation regulations per bill's prohibitions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2026: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

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. (HD1)

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRestricts oversized vehicles from left lanes with penalties, imposing new limitations on transportation operations rather than advancing infrastructure or safety.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

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