Transportation (Public Transit)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2726: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes a two-year Youth Ride Free Pilot Program within the Department of Transportation. Specifies that certain Program administrative costs incurred by the counties are eligible for reimbursement from the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates state funds for a Youth Ride Free Pilot Program, expanding public transit access and reimbursing counties for administrative costs under DOT jurisdiction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1198: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Designates student transportation as critical infrastructure and a critical service for Hawaii's public education system. Requires all school bus contracts between the State and the contractor to include certain standards, performance metrics, and accountability requirements to prevent service disruptions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDesignates student transportation as critical infrastructure for public education, requiring standards to prevent service disruptions, strengthening educational access and school operations.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDesignates student transportation as critical infrastructure with contract standards to prevent service disruptions, strengthening transportation service reliability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1780: RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free school bus passes for students who meet certain statutory requirements. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for free student bus passes for low-income families, directly funding an essential public service program under the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free bus passes for FRL-eligible students, removing transportation barriers and expanding access to K-12 education through direct funding.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates funds for student bus fare system with free passes for eligible students, directly funding and expanding school transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Student Health Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 195: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the counties, before implementing any new mass transit fare or increasing any existing fare, to first seek revenues from alternative sources, including transit-based advertisements. Requires a county that decides, after seeking alternative revenue sources, to implement a new or increased mass transit fare to submit a justification report to the Department of Transportation. Requires the Department of Transportation to reject or approve the proposed new mass transit fare or fare increase within 30 days of receiving a county's justification report.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires counties to seek alternative revenue before fare hikes and submit justification to DOT, preventing arbitrary increases and protecting public transit affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 806: RELATING TO HOUSING.

SB 806 requires new housing projects developed under Hawaii Revised Statutes §201H-38 to be located within county-designated transit-oriented zones. This directly affects developers building housing under this specific statute, mandating proximity to public transit infrastructure. The key provision is the location requirement, directing projects to areas prioritized for transit access as defined by county governments. The bill aims to promote housing near transit options without specifying additional funding or penalties. (Based solely on the official abstract provided.)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates transit-oriented housing locations, promoting access to public transit which reduces transportation costs and supports housing accessibility without restricting development.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates housing projects near transit zones to promote public transit access and reduce car dependency, directly advancing transit-oriented development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1025: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

SB 1025 would allow both service animals and non-service pets on mass transit vehicles under specific conditions. It directly affects pet owners who use public transportation and transit agencies responsible for implementing the policy. The bill's key provision creates this allowance, subject to conditions such as leashing or health requirements, though exact rules are not detailed in the provided abstract.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances public transit accessibility by allowing pets under conditions, aligning with transportation policies that improve user experience and service inclusivity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1160: RELATING TO PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Amends sections 286-102 and 286-181, HRS, to allow exemptions to include use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans, which may not meet school bus regulations for school bus services, but which shall otherwise meet vehicle requirements and qualifications set forth in chapter 19-143, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to the extent required by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education, when adult staff chaperone escorts of students are provided while students are being transported between designated locations off-campus and designated locations on-campus.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends safety standards to allow alternative vehicles with adult chaperones, enhancing pupil transportation safety under DOT/DOE requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 2395: RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose household qualifies the student for free lunch or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for free student bus passes for low-income households, directly funding a public service through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free bus passes for eligible students (via free/reduced lunch), removing financial barriers to school access with appropriated funds.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates funds to establish free bus passes for eligible students, expanding access to school transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Student Health Driver Licensing Public Transit

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2993: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Human Resources Development to offer fully subsidized public transit passes for state employees. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds fully subsidized public transit passes for state employees, directly advancing public transit access and usage through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1879: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a subsidized youth transit program for youth who are residents of the State, to be coordinated with the counties. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, expand eligibility, and consult with the Department of Education on best practices, under certain conditions. Establishes the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and Special Fund. Allocates funds from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Appropriates funds into and out of the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates tax revenues (environmental response, energy, food security) to fund a new public transit program special fund, directly advancing budgetary appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates environmental response tax to youth transit program, reducing emissions by promoting public transit use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates environmental/energy tax funds to establish fare-free youth transit program, expanding public transit access and funding within DOT.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Transportation Funding

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