House Committee passes five measures on transportation, including Molokai air-subsidy and crosswalk buffer amendments

The House Committee on Transportation conducted a decision-making session March 18, 2025, and approved several transportation-related measures, including budget adjustments, program authorization, and policy changes affecting pedestrians and air service subsidies.

Votes at a glance:

- SB 934 SD2 (state budget; mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling): The committee adopted HD1 as amended to defer the effective date to July 1, 3000, and noted BNF testimony. The chair recommended passing with amendments; the committee vote adopted the recommendation. (Chair and Vice Chair voted aye; Representative Cochran recorded as excused.)

- SB 1526 SD2 (Drug and Alcohol Toxicology Testing Laboratory Special Fund; extension): The committee adopted HD1, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and noted supportive testimony, including the Department of Health and Department of Law Enforcement. The committee voted to pass with amendments.

- SB 1195 SD1 (parking near crosswalks; buffer zones and enforcement): The committee adopted HD1 and added amendments linking fines for illegal parking near crosswalks to the Safe Routes to School Special Fund (HRS section 291C-4) and establishing a fine range ($100–$500 per day per violation). The chair described the amendment as explicitly tying fines to Safe Routes to School revenue and establishing the new penalty mechanism. The committee voted to pass the bill with amendments.

- SB 1638 SD2 (Molokai Air Carrier Subsidy Program): The committee adopted HD1 and approved amendments that add legislative findings asserting a public purpose under Article VII, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution, require annual audits of subsidy use, set measurable service-improvement metrics as a condition of subsidy, require a report to the legislature with specified metrics, and include a sunset and periodic review (sunset on June 30, 2028; review in the 2028 regular session). The committee voted to pass with amendments.

- SB 106 SD1 (pedestrian pilot; jaywalking reforms): See separate article. The bill passed with amendments; Representative Miyake was recorded as voting no.

What committee testimony and discussion showed: The Department of Health, Hawaii Appleseed, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Hawaii Public Health Institute and several county agencies provided written or in-person testimony across bills. For SB 1195 (parking buffers), the Department of Health emphasized roadway visibility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. For SB 1526 (toxicology lab) testimony included support from law enforcement and county prosecutors. For SB 1638 (Molokai subsidy) committee amendments focused on accountability, program metrics, audits and a sunset provision.

Formal actions and tallies (as recorded in committee decision session): - SB 934 SD2 — outcome: approved (pass with amendments). Tally recorded during roll calls earlier in the session: yes:7 no:0 abstain:0 absent/excused:1 (Representative Cochran excused).

- SB 1526 SD2 — outcome: approved (pass with amendments). Tally: yes:8 no:0 abstain:0 absent/excused:1.

- SB 1195 SD1 — outcome: approved (pass with amendments). Tally: yes:8 no:0 abstain:0 absent/excused:1.

- SB 1638 SD2 — outcome: approved (pass with amendments). Tally: yes:8 no:0 abstain:0 absent/excused:1.

- SB 106 SD1 — outcome: approved (pass with amendments). Tally: yes:7 no:1 abstain:0 absent/excused:1 (Representative Miyake voted no; Representative Cochran excused).

Notes on authorities and implementation: - SB 1195 amendments explicitly directed fines to the Safe Routes to School Special Fund (established under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 291C-4) and set a $100–$500 per-violation range for parking within buffer zones of crosswalks. - SB 1638 directs the Department of Transportation to administer a Molokai Air Carrier Subsidy Program with audit requirements and a sunset (06/30/2028) and requires reporting at least 60 days prior to each legislative session through the 2028 session.

Next steps: Each measure passed out of the House Committee on Transportation in the committee’s decision session. Committee-approved amendments and report language were recorded on the public record; measures will proceed according to the legislature’s standard processing (committee reports, subsequent committee referrals and calendaring).