Transportation

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the City and County of Honolulu to move forward with finalizing and building the Makakilo Drive Extension Project to address traffic congestion in the Makakilo and Kapolei areas. The bill requests that city officials establish a clear timeline for planning, funding, design, and construction phases, and submit a status report to the Legislature by early 2027. It directs copies of the resolution to the mayor, transportation director, and city council chair to ensure the request is formally communicated to local leadership.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate an intersection for the installation of a leading pedestrian interval and accessible pedestrian signal upon the first placement or replacement of a state-owned pedestrian signal head. Requires and authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate a certain number of existing intersections with pedestrian signal heads on an annual basis until each intersection with a pedestrian signal head showing a pedestrian crash within the last 5 years has been evaluated. Ensures that accessible pedestrian signals are installed at intersections where leading pedestrian intervals are already installed. Requires that additional safety improvements are implemented as necessary where leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals are installed. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Appropriates funds from the state highway fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SB 2429 establishes a framework requiring smart speed assistance systems for habitual speeders, directly affecting drivers with repeated speeding violations. It sets clear liability rules for manufacturers, distributors, or retailers of aftermarket speed assistance systems related to their design, manufacture, or repair. The bill also mandates a report to the Legislature on the program's implementation and effectiveness. This legislation focuses on concrete safety technology deployment and accountability, without speculative outcomes.

SB 2253 updates the "negligent injury in the first degree" offense to explicitly include injuries caused by drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated. This change directly affects drivers who cause injury to others while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill modifies the legal definition so that such incidents are prosecuted under this specific charge, ensuring they are treated as deliberate negligence under existing law. It does not change penalty levels but clarifies that intoxicated driving causing injury falls within this offense.