Transportation

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2667: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Amends the prohibition on the use of the far left lane by commercial vehicles on roadways with three or more lanes going in the same direction. Restricts motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer from using the far left lane, subject to specified exemptions. Establishes penalties for violations. Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more. (CD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRestricts towing vehicles in left lane to enhance traffic safety, aligning with safety enhancement indicators in transportation policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 1163: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING.

Amends requirements to commercial driver's license qualification standards to meet current federal regulations to allow the State to issue a non-domiciled commercial learner's permit and non‑domiciled commercial driver's license for applicants who are unable to provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows non-domiciled CDLs for immigrants without citizenship proof, enabling access to driver's license services per federal compliance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends commercial driver licensing to meet federal safety regulations (FMCSA), enhancing transportation safety standards under Department of Transportation oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 31: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LICENSING, TRAINING, AND WORKFORCE PIPELINE FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Education to study how to improve the process for hiring and training school bus drivers in Hawaii. The bill addresses ongoing shortages of qualified drivers that have led to canceled routes and disrupted transportation for students, particularly in rural and neighbor island communities. The requested evaluation will examine barriers to commercial driver's licensing, coordination between agencies and private contractors, and strategies to expand testing and training access. The departments must consult with various stakeholders and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 regular session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses school bus driver shortages affecting student transportation access, particularly in rural areas, strengthening educational access and logistics.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to improve workforce pipeline and address driver shortages, supporting employment standards and workforce development for school bus drivers.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve school bus driver training and licensing, addressing workforce shortages that disrupt student transportation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 110: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING STATE-OWNED OR STATE-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES NEAR PORTS, HARBORS, AND AIRPORTS TO REDUCE MATERIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICLY FINANCED HOUSING PROJECTS.

This bill requests that Hawaii's Department of Transportation work with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group that studies whether the state should own or control warehouses and logistics centers near ports, harbors, and airports. The goal is to lower material costs for publicly funded affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses caused by Hawaii's reliance on imported building materials. The working group will examine potential sites, analyze cost savings from bulk purchasing, consider public-private partnerships, and determine what legal changes might be needed to implement such facilities. The group must include representatives from transportation, housing agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders, and will submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aims to reduce material costs for publicly financed affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency, directly supporting housing development efforts.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce transportation expenses for housing projects by evaluating state-owned logistics facilities near ports and airports, directly addressing transportation infrastructure optimization.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1166: RELATING TO AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds out of the State Highway Fund for deposit into the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund and appropriates funds out of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund for fiscal year 2026-2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds automated speed enforcement systems program via State Highway Fund, enhancing road safety infrastructure within transportation policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 85: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TRANSFER PARCELS THAT MAKE UP THE EAST KAPOLEI TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND URGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT.

This bill urges state agencies to reorganize the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project by transferring land parcels currently owned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It also requests that the Housing Corporation partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to handle non-housing aspects like commercial development and infrastructure improvements. The resolution aims to align agency responsibilities with their core functions to facilitate the project's mixed-use development, which includes affordable housing, retail, and transit facilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill transfers land parcels to housing finance corporation to facilitate affordable housing development in East Kapolei project.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes transit-oriented development and infrastructure improvements through land transfers and partnerships, directly supporting transportation goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 154: REQUESTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI TO EXPAND THE HELE-ON SHARED RIDE PROGRAM TO SERVE THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI, INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS SUCH AS WEST HAWAIʻI, NORTH KOHALA, SOUTH KOHALA, KAʻŪ, AND PUNA.

This bill requests the County of Hawaiʻi to expand the Hele-On Shared Ride Program from its current service in east Hawaiʻi to cover the entire island, including rural areas like West Hawaiʻi, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kaʻū, and Puna. The program provides subsidized, on-demand transportation for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions who need accessible vehicles that accommodate mobility devices. The resolution asks the county to partner with local transportation providers to increase service availability in underserved areas while prioritizing accessibility and compliance with disability laws. It also encourages the county to consider phased implementation or pilot programs to manage costs and ensure sustainable expansion of the service.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly requests expansion of Hele-On shared ride program to serve entire island including rural areas, strengthening public transit access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 43: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO INSTALL RAISED CROSSWALKS AT THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAUIKI STREET, AND KAMOKU STREET INTERSECTIONS WITH HIHIWAI STREET TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY NEAR ALA WAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

This bill urges the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services to install raised crosswalks at three specific intersections with Hihiwai Street to enhance pedestrian safety near Ala Wai Elementary School. The proposed changes target University Avenue, Lauiki Street, and Kamoku Street, where current traffic controls are considered insufficient for high volumes of pedestrians including students and families. Raised crosswalks would physically slow vehicles and improve visibility for drivers, addressing safety concerns at these busy residential intersections. The resolution directs copies to city officials and school leaders to facilitate the implementation of these traffic calming measures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves pedestrian safety near elementary school, directly supporting student safety and educational access75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly advocates for installing raised crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety and traffic control at specific intersections, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation