HB 461 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO COMMUTING.

Summary

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and General Services, to develop and implement a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program for all state employees regardless of mode of transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

HB461 → HB461_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to expand the commuting benefit program from a general requirement to include specific, actionable mandates. Key additions include a requirement for departments to hire volunteer coordinators, the provision of fully subsidized transit and bikeshare passes, and a new 'parking opt-out' program offering financial incentives to employees who give up parking. The effective date was also set to a distant future date of July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general directive to develop a program to specific operational requirements, including the creation of volunteer coordinator roles, the integration of transit passes into employee badges, and a new financial incentive mechanism for employees to opt out of subsidized parking.

REQUIREMENT

Requires every state department and agency to establish a volunteer employee transportation coordinator at each worksite.

Mandates that the state offer fully subsidized public transit and bikeshare passes integrated into employee badges.

Creates a new 'parking opt-out' program allowing employees to give up parking stalls in exchange for a financial incentive.

Replaced the requirement to consult with the State Energy Office with a requirement to consult with the 'Hawaii State Energy Office' (adding 'Hawaii').

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective date from 'upon approval' to July 1, 3000.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 223) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to LAB.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Kahaloa, Kusch, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to EEP, LAB, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors