Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 96: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER MOVING TO A DEMERIT POINTS-BASED DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to consider adopting a demerit points-based driver's licensing system. It directly affects drivers by proposing a method where points are added to a license for traffic violations, similar to systems used in approximately forty states. The resolution cites high traffic fatality rates and the department's acknowledgment that most crashes stem from human behavior as reasons for this recommendation. It does not mandate the change but requests the department to evaluate implementing this system to improve road safety.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill advocates for enhanced driver safety through demerit points system, aligning with safety improvement indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Mar 5, 2026

GM 5: Letter dated March 2, 2026, transmitting proposed changes to the FY 27 Executive Supplemental Budget for the operating and capital improvement program budget requests for various departments.

This bill proposes amendments to Hawaii's 2027 supplemental budget for four state departments, adjusting funding levels and staffing plans to reflect updated operational needs. It adds money to support healthcare cost-sharing, land management and cleanup projects, airport security and workforce programs, and highway safety enforcement technology. The document also reallocates certain positions and funds between departments to better align resources with specific program goals, while withdrawing some previously requested amounts for speed enforcement systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for essential state programs including healthcare, land management, airport security, and highway safety enforcement technology.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly adds funding for healthcare cost-sharing, indicating financial support for healthcare access and services.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill includes funding for highway safety enforcement technology and airport security, which supports transportation infrastructure and safety programs.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Airports Roads & Highways

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 130: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO COORDINATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING TO REDUCE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEVELOPMENTS.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Transportation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to form a working group to coordinate infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home lands developments. The working group will include representatives from both departments, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and infrastructure experts to review overlapping projects and identify opportunities to reduce costs through synchronized planning. The group will analyze five-year capital improvement plans, evaluate potential savings from joint execution, and recommend changes to improve coordination between the agencies. The working group is required to submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027 before it is dissolved.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes working group to coordinate infrastructure planning and reduce costs for transportation projects in Hawaiian home lands developments85% confidence

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2069: RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Extends the sunset date of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program pursuant to Act 92, SLH 2023, from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2031. Requires any equity purchased by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program to be in a for-sale housing development project within a transit-oriented development zone. Authorizes HHFDC to spend up to $20,000,000 from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the Equity Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 92, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023. (CD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes housing fund permanent, expands funding uses, and exempts disbursements from appropriation requirements, strengthening affordable housing financial mechanisms.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes HHFDC to use existing funds for Equity Pilot Program, advancing affordable housing initiatives through targeted funding reallocation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires housing projects in transit-oriented development zones, promoting transit-accessible housing and supporting public transit integration.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 23: REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATED PANEL OF COMMISSIONERS TO OVERSEE MATTERS RELATED TO INTRASTATE WATER CARRIERS AND MARITIME COMMERCE.

SCR 23 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to create a dedicated panel of commissioners focused exclusively on regulating intrastate water carriers and maritime commerce. This panel would address the unique operational needs of Hawaii’s island-based supply chain - such as vessel safety, harbor operations, and emergency preparedness - currently managed alongside other utilities like electricity and gas. The resolution aims to improve regulatory effectiveness through specialized maritime expertise and better coordination with the Department of Transportation’s Harbors Division, without changing existing laws. It directly affects the PUC’s structure and oversight of maritime transportation, which moves essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine between Hawaiian islands.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates dedicated panel for maritime commerce regulation, enhancing oversight of water carrier infrastructure (transportation) per bill's focus on vessel safety and harbor operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Ports

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 20: URGING AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND AN END TO HOSTILITIES IN IRAN.

This Senate Resolution (SR 20) requests Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to create a dedicated panel focused on regulating island shipping services (intrastate water carriers) and maritime commerce. It directly affects the PUC, maritime transportation operators, and Hawaii's supply chain by asking for specialized oversight of a system critical to moving essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine between islands. The resolution emphasizes that Hawaii uniquely relies on maritime transport as its core supply chain - unlike most states - and argues that a specialized panel would improve safety, emergency response, and regulatory decisions without changing existing laws. The request aims to strengthen coordination between the PUC and Hawaii's Department of Transportation on maritime operations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequests dedicated PUC panel for maritime commerce oversight, strengthening regulation of critical island shipping infrastructure vital to Hawaii's transportation supply chain.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Ports

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1695: RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

HB 1695 expands an existing tax credit for renewable fuel producers, allowing them to claim additional credits for fuels produced after December 31, 2025. This bill directly affects businesses manufacturing renewable fuels like ethanol or biodiesel by increasing their potential tax savings. The key provision extends the credit to taxable years beginning after 2025, with an effective date listed as July 1, 3000 (likely a typo for 2030). The bill is currently pending before the TRN committee, having been deferred for further review in February 2026, and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit for renewable fuel producers, directly providing tax relief to businesses, thus supporting tax policy in budget & taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers, directly incentivizing increased production of renewable energy sources like ethanol and biodiesel.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers (ethanol, biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel), directly incentivizing clean energy production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credits for renewable fuels (including sustainable aviation fuel), directly promoting sustainable transportation through producer incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 169: RELATING TO MOPEDS.

Increases the minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years. Increases the minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases moped safety standards via age and helmet requirements, directly enhancing highway safety within transportation policy.95% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1084: RELATING TO USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of alcohol from .08 to .05 or more grams of alcohol to reduce impaired driving and fatal crashes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationLowers BAC threshold to enhance road safety, directly addressing transportation safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

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