TRS-EIG-EDU, EIG-TRS, TRS Public Hearings 03-24-2026

001Good afternoon, folks, and we are a little delayed. We're apologize for the three committee hearings on the hearing notice of Tuesday, March 24th, committees on transportation, energy, and intergovernmental rental affairs, the committee on energy, and it's at the 3:00 p.m. agenda. However, it's 3:21. We will also want to remind those that will be testifying that we will allow 1 minute for this particular session, and that decision-making will follow on this one agenda item. So, with that said, HB 2033, House Draft 2, relating to transportation, and it's a long, long Part 1. I will just summarize in saying that this is an omnibus bill with the many, many parts on it, and some of most of you are here that know and understand what's on it. It also requires sellers and the licensed dealers to ensure

002that the motor vehicle is equipped with a front number plate mounting bracket and device. It also talks about the number plates on vehicles. It also on Part 2, Part 3, talks about the speed enforcement system systems program, and is Parts 4 that allows the counties for the license plate, and Part 5 it calls upon cameras. Okay, let's proceed with testifying. Okay, thank you so much. Okay. Transportation, DOT. Thank you. Thank you so much. Attorney General. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Vice Chairs and members of the committee. Deputy Attorney General Mark here. Our department has submitted written testimony providing comments on this bill. Our testimony includes Attachment 1, which sets forth our suggested replacement wording for Parts 4 and 5 of the bill. Part 4 of the bill addresses an automatic license plate recognition system, and Part

0035 of the bill addresses the school bus infraction detection system. We understand that both of these proposed systems contemplate using technology devices similar to what is currently used under Chapter 291J, which addresses photo red light imaging detectors, and 291L, which regards which which is which addresses automated speed enforcement systems, such that certain provisions from those chapters could support proper implementation and enforcement of these new systems. Attachment 1 suggested replacement wording provides for these new systems with the additional provisions to support their implementation and enforcement. I'm available for questions. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. And let me say that Attorney General South is Thank you so much for helping us to review this this bill, and you know, it's sort of as we look into it, you know, there's some flaws in certain areas,

004the penalties, there was none, and I really appreciate the help and that we do have a proposed SD1. But I must commend you folks for helping us with this measure. Okay, thank you so much. Okay, DOT, Department of Education, Keith Hayashi. Hello Chairs, Vice Chairs, I'm here to testify on behalf of the Department of Education. I understand that everything in the testimony Okay, thank you. Judiciary, Michelle Acosta on Zoom. >> [clears throat] >> Good afternoon, Chairs, Vice Chairs, members of the committee. Michelle Acosta here on behalf of the Judiciary. We stand on our written testimony with comments, and I'll be available for questions. Thank you. Okay, thank you very much, and on Zoom, we do have Nikos Leverenz. Aloha. Aloha, Chairs, Vice Chair, members. Nikos Leverenz testifying in my own capacity. I'm offering comments on

005this bill. I know that the train has already left the station, and I'm just very concerned that the about the proposed statutory language in Part 4. Statutory language must be more exacting so that those in the executive branch and its contractors have clear parameters that reflect our state's abiding commitment to individual liberties against government overreach. ALPR data has already been used by law enforcement on the continent to exact punishment on those from vulnerable populations, including women seeking needed reproductive health care services, and those who are migrants. In contrast to the broadly permissive approach taken in this bill, the Washington Legislature recently sent SB 6002, the Driver Privacy Act, to Governor Ferguson's desk. The bill provides express specific restrictions on the use of data and where such data may not be collected. The bill also restricts

006the ability of vendors to skirt public oversight and accountability accountability by mandating that they provide government with technical controls, and expressly preventing the selling, leasing, or renting of data, or allowing access to non-authorized agencies. You know, half a century ago, Hawaii was at the forefront of protecting the privacy interests of individuals against state intrusion, including a provision in our constitution expressly acknowledging a right to privacy. So, I'm very hopeful that policy makers will consider putting in some parameters and some guardrails to preserve our larger privacy interests. Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony. Nikos, did you have a chance to look at the SD1 as proposed by the Attorney General? Not yet, ma'am. Okay, I think I I can provide feedback on that, but yeah, I'm hopeful. If you can go online, you'll find it

007as well, but I think it has been pretty much covered, and the concerns that you raised as well. Mahalo. I'll look at it. All right, Department of Customer Services, uh City and County of Honolulu. Hi, good afternoon, Chairs, Vice Chairs, committee members. Megan Johnson on behalf of Department of Customer Services, City and County of Honolulu. We stand on our written testimony in support of this measure. Okay, thank you. Advocates for Highway and Safe Oahu, auto safety. Okay, stands communication in support, Oahu MPO. In support as well, Kristen Eto. In support, Nicholas Wong, Rex Katsuhara, and Kenneth Shiu, all in support. Is there anyone else wishing to speak on HB 2033? Okay, hearing none, members, we have communicated with the Chairs as well with report with a an amendment to the measure, and we I T

008will not go into recess. The Chairs have confirmed that we will be making decisions on this measure. So, the Chairs' recommendation on this HB 2033 relating to transportation, the Chairs' recommendation is to go with the Attorney General's SD1 as as proposed, and also would like to add that with regards to the mobile safe vehicle safety inspection, we would like to add the language requiring that DOT must adopt rules allowing for motor vehicle safety inspection for passenger cars, and also with technical and non-substantive amendments. Any discussions? Yes. Yes, Senator Can Yes, Chair. to get rid of the safety checks. Okay, another day. >> [laughter] >> We've dealt with this. Yes, yes. We we've dealt with this with before, but I'm sure we'll we'll do something next year. Thank you, Chairs. Okay, for the committee Okay, I

009know. I know. And we also added at one time, let's go 2 years. Okay, so the Chairs' recommendation is to pass the measure with amendments. For the Committee on Transportation, HB 2033, House Draft 2, is to pass with amendments. Any discussions? Hearing none, Vice Chair, for the vote, Chair votes I. Chair's recommendation to pass HB 2033, House Draft 2, with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote I. Senator Kanuha. Senator Lee. Senator DeCoite. Is excused. Madam Chair, recommendation adopted. For members of EIG, same recommendation. Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes. Chair's recommendation for House Bill 2033 is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote I. Senator DeCoite. I. Senator Richards. Is excused. Senator Favela. I. Recommendation is adopted. Okay, and for the Chair, Committee on Education, uh same recommendation to amend

010HB 2033, House Draft 2, to a amendments as stated by the Transportation Chair. Any discussion, members? Hearing none, Chair votes I. Chair votes I. Vice Chair votes I. Senator Granada. Excused. Senator Hashimoto. I. Senator DeCoite. Excused. Measure is adopted. Thank you. Thank you. That concludes then the trip that three committees, Committee on Transportation, Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Committee on Education. Thank you for your patience. We're convening our joint committee with the Committee on Energy and Economic Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and our friends in the Committee on Transportation on this March 24th. We're on the 301 agenda in room 229. We have one measure on this agenda that is House Bill 20 22 HD1 relating to motor vehicle registration. On our testifiers this, we have the Tax Foundation, Alika. Uh good afternoon, chairs, vice

011chairs, members of the committee. Tom Yamachika from Tax Foundation. Uh we'll stand on our written comments and be available for questions. Thank you, Tom. Tina Yamaki from the Hawaii Transportation Association. Members has submitted testimony in opposition. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on House Bill 2022? Uh no, sorry, chair. We have Tina Yamaki on Zoom. Okay, thank you. Welcome, Tina. I I I apologize for not being there in person, but I am on Zoom. I'm Tina Yamaki with the Hawaii Transportation Association, and we stand on our written testimony. We do want to point out that this is going to be a substantial increase in operations for a lot of our mom-and-pop businesses and all businesses in general. And what's going to happen is they're going to pass that on to their customers, which is

012the retailers, and the retailers will pass that on to the consumers. So, prices will go up possibly because of this. Mahalo. Thank you, Tina. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on House Bill 2022? Please step forward. Good afternoon, chairs, vice chairs, committee members. I'm Megan Johnson. I'm the I'm the customer services city and county of Honolulu. We stand on our written testimony and respectfully opposing this measure. Thank you, Megan. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? If not, members, any questions? Did you ever mention that Hawaii county sent communication? Uh Yeah, members have the testifiers uh testimony. The County of the Big Island County has submitted testimony in opposition as well as Johnny May Perry has submitted commentary. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? If not, members,

013any questions? Megan? >> [snorts] >> So, this what this bill is saying, so each island have a different um pay rate. So, [clears throat] reason why I know that I was so fortunate that I had my car registered in Hilo and it was almost 50% or more less. Um and then we still yet to this day maybe you have the can be clarified clear clear to us. We pay this weight tax and this um road tax to fix our roads. How much money is spent every year on fixing these roads because it doesn't seem to get I mean, not knocking you, but I'm just saying not seem to be getting anything done. And the neighbor islands seem to get a legit on their roads in repairs and especially like in with Hilo, we get a

014lot of rain, but it doesn't seem to have as much potholes in the county as much we have in Honolulu. So, again, I I just doesn't matter for me that we paying so high, almost double in weight tax on Oahu and in the neighbor islands is not as much, but they get the same job done on a larger scale cuz Hilo, if you know the roads, is long. And we don't have as much potholes in Hilo as we have in Oahu on a shorter distance of road. So, can you even like maybe I don't know if you have the numbers, but can you tell us how is that money being spent and why is Oahu so much higher than the neighbor islands? Thank you, Senator Favela, for the question. I actually have with me our

015Division of Motor Vehicle Program Administrator, and I think that he would be able to provide >> Oh, thank you very much. information. >> Thank you. Yep. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, committee members. William Triggiano, the Division of Motor Vehicles Program Administrator for the City and County of Honolulu. Um Senator, thank you for your questioning and I 100% agree. I recently moved from Kauai, and so I understand the price neighbor islands and Oahu and how it how it plays out. Um And how it affects everybody. Um in terms of the how much is spent on roads and what is done, um we don't have that with us right now. We can definitely um turn um respond to that and and provide better information about where the funds go to. Um for the counties, we can say that

016the funds um are put into general funds for sure. And how the each administration and county spends those funds is as you know under under their purview. Um but yes, I I agree that each each county has their own funding and has their own way of administering. So, the vehicle tax that they collect for the county um goes into a general fund? Um for the City and County of of Honolulu for sure, and I can triple check with the other counties, but I believe it's the same. Okay, so does I mean, I don't know this first time I'm hearing this, so uh forgive me for my ignorance, but I always thought it was mainly for specified road repairs and road conditions and roads. So, so we now we put this in general fund. That means

017if they like take majority of the funds, they will put dollar in the road and >> [clears throat] >> uh $100 someplace else, there's nothing we can do. Um I can't speak to that, but >> Okay, I know I know the reason why I'm asking this is because again in Honolulu Mhm. the last five years, our weight tax increase tripled more than any other neighbor island in the last five years. And I can go on and on. I got rid of a vehicle cuz it was going to cost me almost $1,000 to register them in Oahu. Same vehicle that I bought, of course the vehicle is 20 years old. Same vehicle I bought 20 years ago went up three times the price. So, that I couldn't afford it and I I just got rid of

018the car. But again, how we I just want to know how the community out there, people like me, don't know how is it justified that we can continue to hike up the registration on Oahu to justify our roads, but then we don't see the condition as we see on the maintenance that we have on the neighbor islands and how well repaired some of them were. Maybe not all, but the ones I drove on was well repaired. So, I just want to know how we can figure this out so the community can know where is this I mean, as you said the funds going, but the statistics why why is it the increase constantly going up and up? Do we as a city has a special fund that they want us to raise so they can

019go in general fund and continue to rake it? I don't know. You don't need to answer that, but can you just at least find out why I I think that the fee is so lopsided? Um in terms of the between the counties? Yeah. Yes, I Yes, for sure. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Um thanks for being here as well for the City and County. Um so, with that said, is there any ordinances that was created by the county here um to create a special fund or fund for road fixing? Um I'm not aware of anything that flags or earmarks funds for for roads. >> Okay. Okay. Uh then um Senator Favela, just to add the why the mayor of the County of Hawaii has sent testimony against this measure is because in the

0201980s, I was on the county council at that time, we created an ordinance that part of the gas tax goes into a special fund to for road fixing. And so, it has been ongoing and uh so uh so for each council district, um there's a plan of how much of that fund goes to the different districts so that the council chair the council member then can uh decide to to speak with the administration what roads that they would want to fix immediately in their districts. So, we do have a process, and that's why our mayor has objected to this measure as well. Senator Elefante. Thank you so much. Um Administrator uh Triggiano. Yeah. Um so, a few questions for you. Currently now, what's the annual fee at the City and County of Honolulu? Is it

02146? The The So, um within within the uh motor vehicle registration um there are different pieces to it. So, the in terms of the weight tax um in Honolulu, it's 7 cents per pound. In terms of the annual registration fee, it is and I don't want to mis-speak on it. It's 20 It's 20 for the on the county side. County side for 20. Yeah. And on in for the state fee, it's $40. 40. Um and and sorry, going back to Senator Inouye's comment about was there any earmarked funds in the registration, there's also a highway beautification fund for the both the for the city. And for the city, it's recently went up to $10 per per vehicle annually. So, my understanding, being that I came from the county council before is that the fees cannot

022be more than what it actually costs to process the permit application. Is that Is that correct? >> Correct. Okay. So, you're in opposition to it because this would impact revenues collected and how you do operations. Correct. To Yes. If I If I may. Yes. >> Um yes. 100% correct. Um we have concerns that So, annually right now for the state, the the per pound is less than 2 cents per pound for the state weight fee for a regular passenger vehicle. Currently in the city and county of Honolulu, it's 7 cents. So, if we if this passed, the immediately would have to go down to the 2 cents. And that would be a drop in >> to your >> [clears throat] >> funding. >> Yeah. And that is what we're concerned about. Um if that's the

023way that this this bill goes. >> Thank you, administrator. Thank you very much for the opportunity. Okay. Thank you. Any further questions? I just I just have a follow-up. I I I understand what you're saying about the revenue cost here. But, our land tax goes up every year. A portion of the land tax supposed to be helping with beautification and other things. Our ENV for trash pickup and everything. So, as that source in the air or all air area. So, it's in the area. How is it not possible that you guys cannot Not you, but I mean in general. How can they not have be able to budget or I I I mean sorry. Let me I rephrase. [clears throat] I know why. Cuz they got on peer race, the city council and the mayor.

024Okay. Now, I understand. Thank you, chair. Thank you, senator. Any further questions? Uh I have a question. Um so, I talked to the author of this measure um and he expressed frustration because you couldn't answer the earlier question from Mr. Senator Favela about how much money is brought in, how much is itemized in all of your expenditures. Every other county except Honolulu is able to provide that. So, that's what this bill tries to get at, is right? Is to hold the city and county of Honolulu accountable, which you're not. You have no idea. The money goes into black holes. You get whatever the city allows you to get, and then that's that's how you function. That needs to be fixed. And that's what this bill does. Okay. Thank you. Any further questions? Okay. We're going

025to take a brief recess before making decisions. Thank you. We are reconvening the joint committees between the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and our friends from the Committee on Transportation for decision making. The two chairs have conferred. We're going to make a few substantive amendments to to this measure. Being that only the city county of Honolulu seems to be rogue on how it budgets for our roads, we are only going to allow this bill to apply to the city and county of Honolulu. On page six, we are going to specific specify the annual report shall be submitted no later than 20 days prior to the convening of each regular session and make technical non-substantive amendments. Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes. Chair's recommendation on HB 2022 is to pass with amendments.

026Chair votes yes. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Gabbard. Aye. Senator Richards. Excuse me. Senator Favela. Aye. Recommendation is adopted. Okay. Thank you. For the Committee on Transportation, same recommendations to pass HB 2022 House Draft 1 with amendments. Any discussions for the Committee on Transportation? I do want to add though for um my personal views, I'm not one to raise taxes or um to raise fees as as well. I will however in this particular case because I think we're already specifying that uh the fees will be taken out of a certain um part of a registration and not an additional increase. Am I correct? Yeah. Yeah. So, with that said, um uh Vice Chair for the vote, um recommendation is to pass with amendments. >> Chair, just uh if I may for discussion. Yes, Senator uh

027Elefante. >> Yeah, it would be helpful curious to know from the city and county of Honolulu what that data is in terms of what your annual revenue is and how you use that fees. Um so, um that would be helpful as this bill continues to pro- uh progress along the process. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. So, for the vote, um My Vice Chair, um With the >> I can't remember his name, Brandon Elefante. We [laughter] have many of us. Yes, Chair votes uh Chair votes aye. Yes. Not not not Senator Chang. >> [laughter] >> I've got that, too. Okay. Chair's recommendation is to pass HB 2022 House Draft 1 with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Senator Kanuha. Senator Lee. Aye. Senator DeCourcy. Aye. Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. Thank you. You see what happens with

028a day like today? Where'd you go? Okay. Good afternoon. The Committee on Transportation on its hearing notice at 3:02 and just to confirm, it's 3:48 p.m. on its agenda uh on its hearing notice of March 22nd and this is Tuesday. >> [clears throat] >> And uh just for confirmation, uh today we do have at least um seven items. So, we're going to at least limit the oral testimony uh to 1 minute. Uh which normally I am pretty good about the 2 minutes, but time is of the essence today and decision making will follow uh this uh this agenda as well. We'll proceed with HB 60 uh 1524 House Draft 2 and this is relating to pedestrians. Uh this establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C HRS shall not exceed $25. It requires state

029and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit. Okay. Turn uh DOT. Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair. Senator Lee testifying on behalf of DOT. We sent our written testimony to provide comments. Okay. Thank you very much. Um Department of Health on Zoom. Oh, hello. Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the Committee. I'm Heidi Hansen Smith for the Department of Health. The department's going to stand on its testimony with comments, providing comments on the public health potential public health impacts of this measure. And we'll be here for questions. Thank you. Thank you very much. Judiciary. Uh let's see. Sends a communication with comments. Uh Appleseed uh Hawaii Appleseed Center for law and criminal and economic justice, Malia. Good to see you. Thank you. Good afternoon, Chair,

030Vice Chair, members of the Committee. My name is Malia Boczanski, testifying on behalf of Hawaii Appleseed in support of this measure. We believe current pedestrian fines are overly excessive and really vastly disproportionate to the act to the action at hand. Um for example, the fines and fees for crossing the street in an outside of a marked crosswalk, that is $130. In comparison, um speeding on Oahu, which is much more of a public safety threat, those fines start at $62. Many people, especially those who don't own a car and rely on walking, really cannot afford these steep fines. Um if left unpaid, these tickets can cascade into large consequences of debt collection, damaged credit, and court involvement. So, we believe this bill is really taking the right step to mitigate the harms caused by our currently

031excessive pedestrian fines. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. I just have um Did you have a chance to see the com- the communication testimony from DOT? And um they raised, you know, some some concerns with regards to the $25. Um you know, and they have data that shows that they've been uh significant jaywalkers as well as casualties um on this measure. So, um just a little concerning of the the low rate the lowest to $25. Um how do you feel about that though? Because they're you know, they have the data and they're they're the ones that are up front about ensuring that, you know, pedestrians are safe as well. Yeah, I think for Hawaii Appleseed, of course, public safety and pedestrian safety is a big concern for us. Um we also recognize that a lot

032of people who walk, it is out of necessity. People may not have access to a car um to get around. So, for people receiving pedestrian fines like this, we just think putting that barrier of these fines $130 is a lot of money especially when compared to fines for people who are driving like speeding. We just think lowering that amount is really the right step. >> Yeah. Something brought to mind this morning. I live in Chinatown and was very interesting at Manoa Key right across of the China the Chinese Cultural Plaza garage and lo and behold I saw many police cars but it was an incident not related to any jaywalkers but the police cars were down near the below the entry to the cultural center garage but in the meantime all our neighbors from the

033other condominiums were all crossing over just jaywalking and I was kind of like surprised because there's no enforcement and so that was kind of sad that you know we continue to have this but since you're here members any questions for for Apple Seed yes Senator Lee. Thanks just um I have two questions. One speaking of the data Department of Health testimony notes that laws criminalizing pedestrians are ineffective in producing real safety results and then sites stats from Virginia, Kansas City, Denver, California and others California particular where after um changing the law traffic fatalities actually decreased by 13%. um after having lowered ticket prices and everything else showed no change. Is that like a universal thing? Are there other is that or is that just sort of like a focus on a couple key places? um

034>> [sighs] >> I am not familiar so I I can definitely Let me ask you this way. Massachusetts has fines for the same jaywalking kinds of things set at a dollar. If you're repeat offender they get really harsh and they double the fine. But clearly they have rates I mean better than us. So who's right here? Yeah. I think I think at Hui Apple Seed I think $25 is something that makes sense to us and I mean just to be clear I think enforcement is important. I don't think our stance on this is let's reduce enforcement. I think it's just reducing that like financial like barrier and burden that puts on people. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. By E bicycling league Eduardo is pretty much always here in person sends communication

035in support [laughter] how about Apple? sends communication in support ACLU as well and the support from William Perrone, Jonathan Hume and Jonathan Lott. Is there anyone else wishes to speak to 15 24 okay otherwise we'll oh yes Senator Lee. >> for DOT Deputy Director Lee. Thank you Madam [clears throat] Chair. Current currently now the fine is $100. um Let me double check I think. I think it's this I don't know. Okay. I think Toby or Lee I think you're on do you know what the current fine is? Uh this is Carrie in from Department of Transportation. The fine actually ranges oops the fine ranges from 130 to and up depending on the jurisdiction so certain counties have different rates. Okay. And then one last question is I know a big piece is the enforcement side

036to deter violators from doing that and I can understand the advocates for the bill but has DOT looked at maybe messaging or public service announcements PSA to make more people aware of of jaywalking or you know crossing the street in that sense is that something to consider? Yeah. um Carrie I don't know if you know or familiar with the attitude attitudinal surveys or I know that we do a lot of procuring PSAs through movie theaters and on the radio outreaching to University of Hawaii. Is this some of the one of the subjects that we do outreach on? Yeah. So one of the things that we do ask in our behavioral survey I'm glad you brought up is just how far people are willing to walk to a designated crossing. Uh which is important to kind

037of understand like the path of least resistance and that it shows that actually most people are willing to go to the appropriate spot uh when surveyed so that's like the majority meaning more than 60%. um and so we we want to encourage everybody to use the safest crossing possible. um I think that's you know putting in a positive light rather than just always saying this is the fine this is the penalty but encouraging people to make the right decision because it's how the road is designed to keep them safe. um but we are working on something like that right now but we're just you know PSAs are they they take a little while to produce and and get approval so hopefully we'll have something aired by pedestrian safety month this year. Thank you very much

038Carrie. I do want to say one plug for interns. We're actually creating projects to help us with some social media reels. I know that we're not allowed to go on TikTok but to do just a lot of safety messaging to reach different populations in addition to the public service announcement. Thank you Deputy Director Lee. Thank you Carrie. In in one of the testimonies it seems like the prices for jaywalking is between 130 and 180 and it's more than the speeding on the red light which is about what 60 something dollars so there's a big gap between jaywalking and other fines uh currently so um I I can tend to agree it's it's pretty high if you're paying over $100 for jaywalking it's a notification but apparently that's why this measure is before us. Thank you.

039Thank you. Yes Senator Lee. I think part of the frustration I think in a prior hearing on this issue that came up as I recall earlier was a lot of the places that we have here in Hawaii aren't designed for pedestrians and I know DOT's been making great strides to try and change that and obviously it's not going to be overnight but in cases like for example um uh we brought this up I don't know a couple of years ago when it happened but um on Vineyard and Queen right as you're crossing to like the Pacific Club from here right it was like four-way um crosswalks and then DOT pulled one of them out so if you're walking from the capital to the Pacific Club now you have to cross three different times rather than

040just once. And in those cases you still see a lot of people now running across the street cuz I mean the wait at that light is it's like five minutes right in between like all the different turn signals cycles and all that stuff. And so how do we fix situations like that where the projects that are being done actually make it both more difficult for pedestrians and to some extent more dangerous cuz you now have three times the exposure to getting hit by a car. um while the same time then you know with this situation having like harsh penalties that especially for people who can't afford it means basically like do you take your life into your hands or do you end up paying? How do we fix that? So I don't know that particular

041intersection whether it was an engineering survey that maybe I mean I think sometimes when signal crosswalks are dangerous maybe that's why I don't know that particular one but I can get back to um But I'm sorry what is the question? Oh no I think I was making a point that this dangerous. Oh okay. Jade had said at a present public presentation that it was probably not in pedestrians interests and was not uh yeah I guess best practice. So anyway I raised that as sort of the example to note that these kinds of situations like some people are like forced into it and they don't have a choice. And so if we're going to like how do we create a pathway where people can still reasonably get around without having to face the specter of punitive

042fines. Particularly where they're near and now we're creating a lot more affordable apartments rentals affordable housing where you we increase population in certain blocks. As an example what I just talked about with the affordable housing within Chinatown up to um As an example the the area I talked about was Beretania and Manoa Key and then if you're going the other way up to Vineyard the next traffic I mean the next pedestrian um uh crosswalk is on Kukui so because of the nature of those living in the area which are more Asian, um, affordable housing. You know, there I see it every day, but maybe add another crosswalk right where in between the two intersections that there is a an, you know, the ability for them to learn that they must use a crosswalk. So, you

043know, add that and also we have to uh, and unfortunately city and county are the counties are involved with the traffic light management system that you that we the state DOT pays for. Um, but sometimes the lights are got to be in sync I understand. Okay. Thank you. All right. Anyone wishing to speak to HB uh, is here. So, we'll say aloha and we'll go to HB 1688 and this is relating to the general excise tax exemption for aircraft maintenance uh, as well and we got um, Department of Taxation. Thank you for bearing with us today. Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, and members. Gary Okimoto from Department of Taxation. We'll stand on our written testimony and comments and we're here if you have questions. And thank you for being here when we heard the the

044Senate version as well. Appreciate it. Tax Foundation of Hawaii, aloha Tom. Good to see you again. Yeah, thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the committee. Tom Yamashika from Tax Foundation. Um, we have submitted written comments. We'll stand on those and be available for questions. Okay. Thank you, Tom. Okay. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, and members. Jacob Akiu on behalf of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. We'll stand on our written testimony and comments in strong support and we are here to answer questions. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, Kohala Coast Resort Association uh, in support uh, Chamber of Commerce in support uh, and we got uh, testifying for Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii and Antoinette Davis in support uh, comments from Johnny May Perry and in opposition Theodore

045Metros. Is there anyone else wishes to speak on HB 1688? [clears throat] Aloha. I'm Theodore Metros. Oh, aloha. Hi. Um, Thank you for your patience as well today. Sure. I just want to say that uh, this is a special exemption that I don't believe is any longer needed. I mean, we're talking about losing our income tax deductions. We're talking about raising our weight wages for cars. Uh, this tax exemption is really unnecessary at this point. Why are they getting this special treatment? There's uh, ample opportunity to tax them. This is a locked-in market. The justification for doing this taxation has long since passed. This is actually an area where the state has the ability to collect some revenues rather than trying to tap all these new venues. Uh, the airlines oppose the taxation and yet

046they are first in line to ask for tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel costing hundreds of millions of dollars, but they don't want to cover their own uh, business operation. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much um, for your attendance. I uh, can speak to some uh, consideration uh, for support for the airlines and just to let you know as well uh, in Hawaii um, pretty much I think Hawaiian Airlines when they built the uh, construction uh, facility for maintaining um, their aircraft uh, at that time uh, we talked about the state um, DOT and airports allowing them to to actually rebuild or build an aircraft maintenance building and one of the things was discussed was that maintenance for the aircraft can be anywhere in the United States and if they so choose they could

047have their maintenance um, and reconstruction of an aircraft uh, elsewhere and one of the decisions we decided to support is because there are other airlines that also come in to Hawaii their aircrafts, but also to maintain um, their um, the use of uh, the facility at Hawaiian and Alaska under the jurisdiction right now that they can use the facility and make sure that the jobs are created and increase actually we increased workers um, on the maintenance facility as well and so hopefully uh, other airlines have been using uh, the facilities for maintenance of their aircrafts instead of probably doing it uh, in Las Vegas or California that the opportunity is here in Hawaii. Um, just to add that um, did so. Hopefully um, things will continue to work out for the aircrafts uh, maintenance program

048in Hawaii. Anyone else wishes to speak to HB 1688? Hearing none, let's proceed to HB 1691 and this is authorizing supporting documents used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle to an insurance company after paying payment of damages from the result of a total loss insurance settlement to be signed electronically. Okay. City and County of Honolulu. Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, and committee members. Megan Johnson of the Department of Customer Services, City and County of Honolulu. I will stand on our written testimony in support of this measure and I'm available for questions. Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, on Zoom uh, Copart Inc. uh, Mark Binder. Aloha and good afternoon. I just wanted we have written testimony I'd like you to refer to and to respect your time and to be short. I

049just want to say that this is a benefit to consumers as well as to the business community. We ask that you respectfully support this bill as described in our testimony with an amendment setting the effective date to July 1st, 2027. This um, date was requested by one of the counties and so we're willing to uh, respect that request. Thank you for the time and I can answer any questions. And I I I guess I assume that it was to give them time to get their um, process uh, going and managing the change. Yes, that was my understanding. Correct. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, Hawaii Insurance Council. Thank you, Mike. Or Mark. And this is not Mike. Mike Onofri. Hawaii Insurance Council. Okay. Uh, American Property Casualty Insurance Association

050uh, in support. Is there anyone else wishes to speak to HB 1691? Okay. Let's proceed then to HB 16 and this is relating to traffic safety and this requires drivers approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning signals to slow down and mark and make a lane change if possible and safe uh, to do this uh, and it prohibits the operation of a pickup truck with a passenger seated in the bed or load carrying area on roadways and for those that did um, hear this measure prior like the Senate version uh, the Senate version did not have the use of the pickup truck into this measure um, but this is the House measure and we'd like to hear from the Attorney General's office. Aloha. Thank you. Thanks, Michael. Thank you. Uh, good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, and committee

051member. Uh, Michael Moy I'm a deputy attorney general. Uh, the department supports this bill which requires drivers to slow down when approaching a stationary vehicle, but I have to apologize. I have a mistake in my written testimony that was submitted to the committee. HD2 already includes the term vehicular warning signs. So, please disregard my recommendation to add that term to HD2. Uh, the department does recommend that the duty to slow down be simplified to increase enforceability. Um, the department's recommendation uh, regarding the requirement to change lanes if possible and safe and to stop if necessary on page two line 19 through page three line 10 is to have HB 1692 HD2 match the language of the companion bill SB 2026 SB2. >> Senate version, yes. Okay. But but you still stand on your amendment recommendation

052for Yes. the House on this. Yes. Oh, okay. All right. And you had on on the 291 C27. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you much. Thank you. Any questions for the Attorney General's office? All right. DOT DOT on 1692. Um the DOT stands on our written testimony in support of this measure. No further questions. Okay. Thank you very much. Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition Okay. In support, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii Ample All in support, Triple A In support and Chad Taniguchi, an individual. I know he is very um uh Let's see. A member of the bicycling league. In support. Is there anyone else wishing to speak to SB 1692? Yes, Senator Elefante. >> Question for DOT, please. So, Deputy Director uh Lee, so on this I know HDOT in the past has done PSAs on this.

053I think a big part of that is also PSAs, but also enforcement. So, is this something that DOT can work with HPD and the different county police departments and DLE on enforcement of that cuz I know when you go to other states on the continent, you know, people know what some of those laws are to move over or slow down, but in Hawaii it's a it's a little different when it comes to situations like this. Yes, um absolutely. So, we had our transportation summit a couple of months ago um and we met a group and I I apologize, I can't remember what they were called, but um they are very active in this move over law and um yeah, that's definitely something that we had up with >> [clears throat] >> with ours counterparts or

054our enforcement agencies to enforce. Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Okay. Um but you know, um often times though on on the freeway here um if there's the stationary vehicles um with the warning signals, it's the contractors that are doing the work on the freeway. And normally it's when we're driving um and I'm just as a driver like everybody else in this room, when you're heading into downtown and all of a sudden, oh, there's you know, the the the lights that's spinning on the on the on the vehicle with the warning that that particular lane is closed, but it's often times just last minute. So, what do you do in that kind of cases? Um because we're we're saying, you know, we we got to slow down and make a lane change, but

055you don't make a lane change until you get to the point where you see this [clears throat] vehicle with the lights allowing you or telling you to change. So Right. >> Yeah. Um I think the measure it allows for when it when it's when it's safe. So, I think only when it's um feasible for safety. Okay, so like if there's an accident or something. Yes. Um make a lane change. Okay. All right. Well, I just want to make sure. Sometimes we create bills and we really don't understand it and I'd like to make sure that we all understand what we're passing, you know, to make sure everyone knows that there's a statute requirement and and here the I I'm so happy though that DOT now has its warning or warning um I would say displays

056on the freeways like, you know, certain freeway up somewhere else is is is uh blocked or something and please change and and I think that should continue. Yes. But I don't see that too often in many other areas. Like I see it coming down from let's say on H1 um you know, from Likelike coming into town, there's that warning signal that I noticed they put on when you make the change on going to Vineyard. You know, that's a to me I think just a wonderful sign to know that there's something happening you know, before that. So, I hope that they'll continue, you know, in other areas for alerts. Yes. >> Cuz sometimes we don't know what's [clears throat] happening in an off ramp or you know, another area like I noticed recently on Punchbowl, I

057think um there was one uh and and it could be on a on a rainy crazy day, you know, over the week weekend coming out of Punchbowl going on to the freeway um and going um everybody had to turn left on Vineyard. So, if you're going up to the tunnel up on Punchbowl, it was crazy because some of the cars were still coming on ramp off Punchbowl. So, that cars were coming down, you couldn't take a right lane going on to the on to the freeway, but you had to make a left on Vineyard. That was kind of scary, but I guess you all did what we had to do because of the the weather, I guess. Okay. Um But anyway it's good to have some warning signs around. >> Okay, thank you. >> But

058get that >> the portable message signs. Yeah, that's great. Great to have. Good job on that. Thank you. Okay. Um Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, Mel and Brady in support. Ample, I think I did call that. Am I going into the right direction? That was 1692. Okay. Okay. Yes. All right. Okay, let's go say aloha to 1692 and move to HB 2030 and this is relating to transportation affordability um and uh taxation DOT Good afternoon again, Garrison Department of Taxation. We'll stand on our written testimony for HB and I'm available for any questions. Thank you. Okay, your your testimony on this was similarly to um the version we heard um in uh in in the Senate as well. And then if you can uh help us clear this um because it's kind of like a heavy

059bill. >> [clears throat] >> Correct. >> Okay. And you talked about the different uh different sections, right? Um I think, you know, at least on this bill our big concern was just the the allocation of funds cuz tax systems are set up to be kind of back end after the fact. So, after tax returns are are submitted, then you start working on it and so it makes it very difficult because things don't match up and you have to go through the whole process of trying to figure that out, which can take time and sometimes years depending on what's going on. So, yeah, on this bill we were just asking that um it would be a lot easier and simpler and time efficient to make a you know, like a lump sum allocation instead of making

060it based on uh revenues specifically related to this. So, that was our main concern. And then again, on top of that, when people report on their GET they lump sum everything together and we don't always have a breakout Uh-huh. and be able to tell what's related to what. So, it makes it difficult to understand allocate funds specifically um related to things and and make them deposit if that makes sense. Okay. And also asking for uh an additional time Yeah. >> uh to transfer and get get the yeah, the um the department to um I guess create or add a person that just will be dealing with this. Mhm. It's kind it won't be easy, I'm sure. >> No. Okay. All right. >> Yeah, and just update the forms and do all that. You know, it

061seems like it would be simple, but the form process takes a while. >> Well, I don't know about updating the form. I think you have to create a form, right? for specific this issue. Yeah, for deposit. Okay. >> Yeah, and then we have a new new to us at least where we have to make them all ADA compliant, which is a whole 'nother process that adds on to all the the forms. So, it just takes longer than you would think. [clears throat] Okay, we're almost close to half of the fiscal and you're asking for January 2027, but is that enough time? Um it usually is. We usually uh try to get all the forms prepared, updated and changed by like September, October in that area. So, we've always been able to do it. Well, if

062this passes as well Okay. All right. Not easy job. Okay, State Energy Office. Thank you. Okay. Um Thanks. Chair, members of the committee, Nicole Osteen with the Hawaii State Energy Office. We stand on our written testimony in support. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. On Zoom, uh Hawaii State Youth Commission Aloha the Hawaii State Youth Commission stands on our written testimony in strong support of this measure. Mahalo. Okay. Thank you very much. City County of Honolulu Okay. In support, County of Kauai In support. Uh Auto Dealers Association. Aloha Melissa. Aloha, my name is Melissa Pavlicek. I serve as the executive director for the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, which represents 71 new car dealers in Hawaii and over 4,000 jobs uh directly and indirectly in our dealerships. We work closely with the Hawaii State Energy

063Office, the Department of Transportation, and support the transition to renewable fuels. We respectfully oppose this measure. Uh one of the purposes of this bill is to address rural and low-income costs of transportation. We believe that this bill will actually, because it applies to all Hawaii residents, who even those who share one primary vehicle, those one primary vehicles in a family tend to be mid-size or larger or SUVs, which can be more costly. Think, for example, um cars such as a Chevrolet Traverse or Tahoe. These are more expensive vehicles that are not, by any stretch of the imagination, a luxury vehicle. In addition, the Hawaii small business economy is composed of many small uh businesses and solo sole proprietors. They often operate vehicles such as a Toyota Tacoma, construction trades, and unionized workforce members, and those

064who work in uh jobs that require transporting things often purchase larger vehicles, including SUVs. So, these are the people that would be affected most by this funding for the uh tax relief or for the credit, I'm sorry, the rebate for EVs. Please don't get me wrong, new car dealers sell electric vehicles. We support tran- the transition to electric vehicles. I am often struck when I go to national conferences by how Hawaii has a large larger percentage of adoption of EVs than many other states. But still and all, 93% of Hawaii residents uh purchase and drive uh internal combustion engine vehicles. We want to support the transition to EVs, but we feel that this will unintentionally hurt those who purchase other vehicles. Thank you. Um okay. Well, this was kind of confusing at the beginning if

065you would look at the bill and understand um the unintended consequences. And if all of our islands are so different. Um I come from an area on the Big Island where we have we don't have a the base like Oahu, cuz Oahu has the largest EV cars [clears throat] within the state so far. Um and the consequences are pretty much um more on the average middle-class people, uh low income, um and those that use vehicles for fishing and and hunting and everything else, but I you know, it's it it differs. That's um interesting that, you know, when we see the benefits. At one time, matter of fact, it was my bill when EVs starting and my colleague over here, who's in the Senate, was the chair of energy in the house and I chaired in

066energy and we did give relief to EV purchases. I think was $50 or something like that to their registration. We also gave [clears throat] them an opportunity to to park at the airport um anyway free at one time and it it didn't last that long, but all the benefits were there um and not to say that I oppose EV purchasing, but it certainly does not apply to many in our population. Senator Elefante. Hi Ms. Papacheck, do you have any data from HADA on EV sales in comparison to gas Yes. >> vehicles? Yes, we produce a quarterly auto outlook, which I'd be glad to share with chair and you can distribute it to the committee. We track not just EV sales, but all sales of light duty vehicles in the state, including by brand, and you'll

067see some interesting data. And as Chair Inouye pointed out, the islands do have different adoption rates, but one of the reasons for that um when Chair Lee was uh the transportation chair, we often supported bills to uh increase and promote infrastructure. So, for those who need charging stations and Oahu is a double-edged sword. We have a high degree of uh units that are multi-family units and high-rises, and it's often difficult for those to find charging at their residence. Yeah. But I'd be glad to share that. Yeah, by the end of today. Thank you. Thank you, Zara. I'll very much. Yes, Senator Lee. Thanks. Um thanks. Just looking at your [clears throat] testimony um and some of the other testifiers, uh totally get the the affordability argument and concerns there. Obviously, we all live in areas

068where that's that's a big deal. Um but one of the things that's pointed out here is that switching on average, let's say, uh for your typical driver from uh typical gas car to EV here in Hawaii, well, actually on Oahu, you save between $4 to $5,000 per year for that owner, right? And that's compounded over the life of the vehicle. Let's say you're even just taking it to warranty, so 5 years is like $20,000, let's say conservatively. Wouldn't that from an affordability perspective have value if even it means um there's a few thousand dollars more up front you're paying for a slightly more capable vehicle? It might just depend on what size of vehicle is available and you need for, you know, what you're purchasing it for. So, if there is an EV that a

069a family of six can afford that needs to haul things or whatever, I'm not sure if if the math is exactly as you said, but um I definitely be glad to share with you what I see in terms of sales going on now. Yeah. >> Sure, and to that go back to that later, but um for the moment, if there were cheaper EVs to begin with in the let's say $20 to $30,000 range that can fit that kind of um use where you're hauling stuff around, you know, that kind of thing that you're referring to? >> Is there actual savings? I I mean, I can't I can't exactly speak to that, but I Not that there's savings, but that would be an option that could then be made viable for especially low-income families where you

070could not only save money on the front end with a cheaper vehicle that can accommodate things, but then you're saving all that money, that another $20,000 for the next 5 years in addition to that. I guess, Senator, what I would want you to consider, if you would, is funding that then out of the general fund. You know, it's really this double-edged sword of yes, we want to promote adoption of EVs, but at the expense of certain vehicles. In in some of the hearings we had in the house, it was positioned as like unluxury vehicles or unnecessarily expensive vehicles, but these aren't necessarily luxury or you know, unnecessarily expensive vehicles. Sure, well, I mean, making those available is like critical, right? I mean, well, HADA put in a bill last year that would bar direct sale

071of those kinds of cheaper vehicles. I'm thinking of like the upcoming slate and or a number of other vehicles in that class that fit that cheaper We've had concerns where the dealer and franchise relationship is eroded and manufacturers compete have a contract with a dealer and then circumvent that contract to sell directly to consumers. We're not opposed to vehicles sold directly to consumers. We're just concerned when there is a dealer-manufacturer relationship in place that dealers not circumvent that and compete with their own dealers. So, that might unintentionally appear that we oppose smaller vehicles or certain less expensive vehicles, but it's really for a reason because of the manufacturer-dealer relationship. Sure. Sure, we can Thank you for introducing that bill, by the way. So, I know we we should have further discussion. Thank you. Yeah, and

072it's kind of interesting. I have three girlfriends in Hilo and and for some reason and some are like we're not part of the same group. One I'm friend with one, I'm friend with the other one, I'm friend with the other one, and they all bought new vehicles, Lexus, but you know what? They bought the hybrids. Yeah, and they refused to get the pure EVs and only because the Big Island and its roadways, you go up the hills and down the hills and all over the place throughout the island. Um but interesting, but they're willing to pay, but that's okay if they can afford it. But it's nice to upgrade a vehicle that, you know, is comfortable for that particular consumer. But um yes, there's others that we must take care of as well. Thank you

073so much for being here. Appreciate it. Imua Alliance. Aloha, Chair and committee members. I'm Chris Coughlin, speaking to you today as president of the Imua Alliance, we're in support of this bill, as you all know. Uh transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii, accounting for nearly half of our uh statewide emissions. Um and electric that makes clean transportation all the more urgent, and uh we have over 40,000 EVs on our roads right now, but affordability remains a huge concern, especially with the uh federal changes that have eliminated EV tax credits at the federal level for working families. Uh there was a paper that came out from Harvard University uh in March of 2025 that shows that the elimination of those credits uh would uh reduce vehicle adoption rates nationally by at

074least 6 to 10% uh and contribute another $20 million of carbon emissions over baseline projections by 2030. This bill helps fill that gap by creating a state rebate um that matters tremendously for working families as was just stated um the savings on EVs from uh traditional gas-powered vehicles uh can be up to 40% or approximately $5,000 per year. Uh this program has been implemented in other states it works uh in uh Oregon it's been in high demand there's over 42,000 rebates that have been issued in Oregon uh through the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. In California uh EV rebate programs are in such high demand that they're often over subscribed. They they they can't fulfill the total number of rebates that are in demand so um we think this is a great bill climate resilience

075bill and affordability bill and an energy security bill and we hope that you will move it forward. Thank you so much. Thank you Chris. Uh Abigail Ramston. Aloha. Aloha. Yeah. Rivian Automotive. Aloha. Good afternoon. My name is Abigail Ramston Western State Policy Lead for Rivian Automotive. As a manufacturer of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure Rivian is pleased to support this bill. A clean vehicle rebate program is a proven policy that can catalyze clean transportation and support consumers without burdening the state budget. The state has identified vehicle fuel use as a financial and environmental burden. This program would take an important step forward facilitating the state's transition to clean vehicles and lowering the cost of living for Hawaii residents. As a manufacturer actively selling and servicing vehicles in Hawaii Rivian urges the legislature to continue moving

076this important legislation. Based on our experience in other states this program offered directly to consumers with few administrative burdens can successfully drive electric vehicle adoption. This summer Rivian will release a mid-size SUV that can go up and downhills and it would qualify for this program as written. We want to facilitate electric vehicle adoption broadly and across brands. Hawaii is in a position to lead other states and the nation in electrification and a just clean energy transition. We respectfully urge your support. Any questions? Yeah, happy to answer questions. Welcome. I've never heard of Rivian here. Okay, so who do you sell your cars to? Oh I you said you will be releasing so you create um uh vehicles um Yes. So another brand or something? This is our logo. Okay. >> And we sell the cars

077with the kind of the googly eyes. They're they're around. Oh, okay. Googly eyes? They're actually really They do they they do. >> [laughter] >> Okay, I got to go look for a googly eye. Okay. You once you see it you will know exactly what I'm saying. It it looks like this. Oh, where? In the front? >> in the front. >> Yeah. Oh. There's a bar that lights up at night and then two oval like You know, I may have seen something and I thought what is this? Anyway, so >> Yes. Okay, wait now. >> a new brand. >> Yes, yes, but I do you have a business here and what name is it? So our business is Rivian. Here in Honolulu? We have a service center in Oahu but it's on Dillingham. >> [laughter] >>

078Okay, but you also have a um the So you're like kind of Ford and Nissan so where are you? So we are a California-based company. We manufacture our vehicles in Illinois. Okay. >> We sell in the United States. Okay and you're Okay, you build in Illinois under what brand? Rivian. Okay. Okay, not a Ford not a Chevrolet. No. Okay, not a Lexus and it's Rivian. Yeah, all the time. Okay. We got to go take a tour to your facility then. And just for purposes of Hawaii residents they're off-road vehicles. We have a truck and an SUV. You do have a truck? >> Yeah, they're larger vehicles. >> or you have hybrids? It's only EV that is all that we make. >> my Hilo people won't be able to afford the the truck >> have a

079new one coming out that will be to be be between 45 and $60,000 putting it in line >> an EV not a hybrid. It is an EV. Okay. >> Yes, but it has a range of up to 350 miles. It's a really capable vehicle. It can go off-roading. It can go through really high water because it doesn't have an engine intake. It's it's a great vehicle for Hawaii. Okay. We'd love to see more of them. >> We'll look for the googly eyes. Okay, um Senator I have a quick uh follow-up. So I know you mentioned in your testimony that you've worked in other states you're based in California. >> Yeah. Um is there a similar program in the state of California that does something like this? >> There is. Okay. And is it is it

080very similar to this or did they have to restructure some of their programs and how they give out rebates? Well it's so it's called Clean Cars for All and it is a a low and middle income electric vehicle sales rebate that is scaled uh based on your income. So you substantiate your income and then you receive a voucher from the state to bring to >> state funds the state funds the program. So it's not from taxing higher vehicle gas or diesel use so it's it's much different than this. >> the legislature every year trying to figure out how to refund this program. What the state has is the greenhouse gas reduction fund which was created a number of years ago and is intended to take moneys gathered through a cap and trade program uh that

081is intended to try to bring uh emissions down across industrial and and vehicle sectors. It takes some of that funding and puts it towards programs like this because they have a proven Right. carbon reduction which is what the greenhouse gas reduction fund requires. >> Okay, so slightly different than this this model. >> Something like this that funds itself um and you know, could potentially have a market effect and uh encourage people to not only take advantage of a rebate but look at electric vehicles as a plausible option for them can uh has been shown in other states like uh the other uh testifier pointed out it really does move markets and and encourage customers to overcome their reluctance to take an an electric Okay, thank you Abigail. Appreciate it. Sorry folks. I'm supposed to go

082see your car this afternoon at 5:00. >> Okay, okay. >> to see the googly eyes. Why is this familiar and I I see your hostess over there and I said oh that's the car I'm going to see. Am I seeing a vehicle I mean an SUV or a truck or what? >> to see a red truck. >> Where is it parked? >> It's downstairs. >> Okay, you guys anybody downstairs >> Anyone wants to come down and see the truck? >> downstairs on the parking garage or by the flagpole? underground Okay, underground. Red color? red Red color, okay. And what's the license plate? >> [laughter] >> Just the last numbers. It's it's a it's an Illinois license plate because it's a dealer car. >> well you guys want to see that car. Okay, anyway >> by

083the circle and people can come by. Okay, another question. You're you're saying you're going to release a mid-size SUV. >> Yes. Is that um it it's an SUV mid-size so my SUV thinking about mid-size is a Nissan Rogue. Yeah, it's just like that. Similar size. Okay, I'm looking at buying a new SUV but I'm not I don't like small cars because I golf and I like to go holo holo to the other side of the island so I have I have an 80-lb dog. I like big SUVs. Okay, everybody you got to take it for a test drive. Okay, test drive. Okay, you guys go downstairs and look at this car. Okay, all right. Um and sorry I'm I was thinking about why is Rivian familiar? Okay, let's go um okay, you're money. Okay, Tax

084Foundation. Tax Foundation of Hawaii is here. >> Zoom chair. Okay, I think he was tired it's after 4:30. Okay, Climate Future uh Forum. Sorry we took so long. Are you still with us? Thank you Sophia. Uh good afternoon chair, vice chair and members of the committee. I'm Sophia and I serve as a youth leader of Climate Future Forum a non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying youth voices in the legislature to support climate policies. Through several mechanisms HB 2030 protects and serves families who without the rebate likely could not afford an electric vehicle. These are residents who want to participate in the decarbonization of transportation and or um experience the great financial benefits of switching to an EV such as the reduction of typical fuel and maintenance costs that they would face with a gas-powered vehicle which

085Senator Lee was describing earlier I believe. Um CFF is not solely concerned with addressing climate change but also making sure that the transition to a more sustainable future for our state is equitable. This is why we support HB 2030. Thank you for the opportunity to testify and on behalf of the youth of Climate Future Forum we respectfully urge the committee to pass this bill. Okay, thank you very much. Is there anyone else wishes to speak to um HB 2030? We got um Auto Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Stephanie. Chair, vice chair, members of the committee Tiffany Azima on behalf of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Um the Alliance for Automotive Innovation represents 99% of the automobile manufacturers who are part of the dealer manufacturer network. Um we are concerned with this bill. Uh this bill is

086designed as a fee bait which penalizes the purchasers of gas vehicles um and diesel vehicles in order to subsidize the purchasers of electric vehicles. Um no state has passed a fee bait in fact multiple states including California three times has um rejected a uh fee bait since 2009. The countries that did have a fee bait um have since repealed them. So if Hawaii were to pass this bill we would be standing alone um in adopting a field model. Fee bait policies can worsen the vehicle affordability crisis raising costs for families and uh who are already facing record high car prices, elevated gas prices, and limited charging access. Working families and small businesses that rely on trucks, vans, and SUVs would face new fees, effectively taxing essential workers for the vehicles that they drive. We'd ask

087you to defer this measure. Thank you. Okay, thank you very much. Um HDA, Hawaii Transportation Association. Tina? Aloha, I'm here. I don't know what's going on with my video right now. >> IT, can you um Okay. Can you um take off the other testifier? Okay, there there you go, Tina. So, we respectfully oppose this bill for a number of reasons. A lot of people don't realize, but transportation companies do use light vehicles, and it's very expensive to transition over because the infrastructure is not there. And putting in chargers is not as simple. A lot of places don't have the electrical pool, so we would have to put in new transformers, and that's going to cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars that we just don't have. And if we do do it, it is going

088to be passed on to our customers, which are the retailers, and the retailers will be then passing it on to the customers, which are the consumers. Um so, we are very concerned about this bill. It does have an impact on all of us, and we get it that we will all want to be more green, but we believe that the focus should start on infrastructure here in Hawaii first. Mahalo. Okay, thank you. Uh Hawaii Youth Transportation Council. IT? Okay. Aloha, I apologize. I prompt came up that asked me to start my camera, so I did. >> [clears throat] >> So, aloha. My name is Luca Berti. I'm the Also, aloha chair and new vice chair Alfante, committee members. I want to say big mahalo for Senator Lee for really standing behind electric vehicles uh during

089this committee meeting. Uh my name is Luca Kina Berti, a North Shore Oahu resident and high school senior, as well as the HITC's Policy and Legislation Chair, testifying on behalf of them in strong support of HB 2030, or the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. This bill will allow every Hawaii resident to be able to afford electric vehicles. While the Youth Council would prefer people use public transportation, the reality is that according to the 2020 census, 13.9% of Hawaii residents live in rural areas that public transit may not reach, or they have a line of work that was talked about before that requires the use of heavy-duty vehicles. These residents need a renewable and affordable vehicle option. That is what this bill would allow. Uh electric vehicles are a primary point in bringing down our greenhouse emissions

090and the fight against climate change, something that has been more than apparent in our state in the last few weeks, and particularly in my community. I was off island during this week. >> Look, our times are off. Yeah. I'm sorry. Thanks. I'm sorry, I'm not a paid lobbyist. Oh, thank you. Testifying for the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis. Uh aloha chair, vice chair, and Senator Lee. My name is Dr. Aditya Ramji. I'm from the Institute of Transportation Studies. At the outset, we support the bill and I understand by the written testimony. I would like to also offer some factual corrections on the information that has been provided to you today. The state of California that has been used as an example just to highlight that the reason the state of California does

091not have a tax to on gas cars is because the state of California has by law a mandate for every automobile manufacturer to sell an increasing number of EVs every year in the state of California. That [clears throat] makes sure that auto manufacturers have to internally adjust for their investments and pricing. If you do not have a mandate, the alternative would have been the fee. I and on the other hand, the state of California continues to provide rebate programs that are very similar to the design that has been presented in this bill. And so, I in in that in that same vein, as far as Hawaii is concerned, we've been looking at Hawaii data. 70% of Hawaii's new gas cars have a fuel efficiency of less than 30 miles per gallon and are actually costing

092more than 20% above uh a more efficient gas cars themselves. And so, we And the second fact is that the bill actually does not impose a penalty on all households buying gas cars. It only imposes the bill on about 40% of new gas car buyers. So, just to make sure that Thank you. Thank you, Aditya. Your your time is up, but I have one question for you. California uh does not have a a special fund. It's coming out of the general fund to offer a rebate to customers. Am I correct? The the the general fund is drawing from the cap and trade program that was that was highlighted by the by Abigail from Rivian. The that is a tax, and that is a carbon tax that is imposed in the state. We just are imposing

093that across the economy, and and we collect that money and fund the rebate program. In this case, it is much more targeted. It is just taking from gas more polluting gas cars and redistributing that to new EVs. Thank you. Thank Thanks for being with us today. Thank you. Okay, Earthjustice. Thanks [clears throat] for bearing with us, Isaac. Thank you. I'm just to let you know, we're going to try to speed this up because I understand I need to get out of here. We need to get out of here by 5:00, so we'll try to hurry up. Okay, thank you, chair, vice chair, members of the committee. Stand on our written testimony in strong support. We appreciate the support and collaboration of Hawaii Department of Transportation, who I believe have also submitted testimony. We have proposed

094amendments, and we're we're united on that. So, yeah. Uh gas cars on affordability crisis, and these gas prices right now is just the latest reminder. This is a self-funding, revenue-neutral solution to open up cleaner and cheaper options. This bill is all about affordability in its title and every single provision. Right? Now, um you know, I I I don't know if I'm going to have as much time as the auto dealers to respond to some of their points, but responding to HADA, um well, you know, this is the way we help lower-income customers. Um and in terms of auto innovators, let's innovate, right? And really, there is a lot of misinformation in their testimony. Especially in a major state budget crisis, this self-funded program is really the solution to move us forward, and it's an investment

095in the present and the future. Available for any questions, and Dr. Aditya Ramji is also available, too. He's a really encyclopedia of knowledge, and he's helped put together these numbers, which by the way, we can customize the numbers however we want. Um but I think as Chair Keohokalole said in the House side, you know, everyone can complain, but let's focus on solutions. So, we urge the committee to pass this bill through so we can talk about solutions. Mahalo. Thank Thank you, Isaac. A question for Isaac. Question. So, I I appreciate your hard work. I think it's a creative way of looking at how do you get more people to use EV, but I know California is a little different in this. So, was that ever explored or looked at to see what they do in

096California across the board? And that proposal rather than something like like this, per se? Thank you, vice chair. So, um actually, the rebate side of this program very much patterns after California. Very much also mirrors the former federal tax credit. So, yeah, this is kind of best practice in many many states, and Hawaii is kind of lagging in that regard. Now, with regards to the funding mechanism, as Dr. Ramji explained, in California, they have a mandate, right? And so, if you want to go the mandate route, and I know we don't want to ban cars or whatever, tell people they can't buy their gas cars, um but, you know, other than that, you know, our options to really drive this forward, you can count on on a couple fingers, right? Are you going to mandate

097them? You're going to ban? Or are you going to give sort of that market-based nudge or whatever, that incentive? Not saying you cannot buy your expensive gas car. If you want that, certainly it's possible. But, you know, for more expensive options, why don't you help lower-income people save money on gas? Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank Thanks, Isaac. Okay, IT, thanks. Okay. Okay, IT, we have several on Zoom. I'm going to hurry this up. Is um uh let's see. Is Charlotte Maiden there on on Zoom? Aloha. Hello. Aloha chair, vice chair, and members of the committee. My My name is Charlotte Maiden. I live in Kailua, and I'm a junior at University Laboratory School. I am testifying in strong support of HB 2030 HD2, which establishes Hawaii's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. Transportation is the largest source

098of pollution in Hawaii, accounting for more than half of our statewide emissions. And our state sends spends billions each year importing gasoline and diesel, hurting our local economy and contributing to climate change and public health harms. This bill creates a revenue-neutral rebate program to lower the upfront costs of new and used electric vehicles for Hawaii residents, leaving more of our community Charlotte Maiden, can you kind of summarize because I need to cut the We got three more waiting at Zoom in, and time is not in our favor today. Okay. But, we appreciate We appreciate your testimony. Okay. Um this bill ensures that working families, not just the wealthy, can enjoy the financial and health benefits of EVs. Okay. Thank you. >> you. Bye. Yeah, I thank you very much. Um all right. Noel Morin. If

099you can summarize, we're going to cut back the 1 minute to at least a half a minute, but >> Yes. Can you hear me okay? >> support or oppose? And if you support, we've heard many testifiers already and you may have heard them as well. So, if you can summarize, please. Yeah, can you can you see me and hear me? We can see you, yes. Thank you very much. >> Okay, yes. Aloha noa morena, I live in Hilo on the board of Hawaii EV and I've driven electric since 2011. I am a in strong support of this measure and I stand by the testimony that I've submitted. Uh Mahalo. >> Okay, thank you very much. Thanks, no. Okay, Lehua Nishiguchi. Not on Zoom, chair. Did she say not also? Not on Zoom. >> Not on

100Zoom. Okay, Nicholas Nishimura. Not present as well. Okay, Ron Riley. Yeah, can you hear me? Okay, yes. Yes, thank you. I I'm from Volcano Village on Hawaii Island and I just summarized What was his name? Ron, is that your name? Okay, all right, there we go. If you can summarize, please. We're we're we need to get going with making a doing our votes and we got two more bills before us. I have to hurry. Are you in support or oppose? I'm a supporter of the bill and I just like to mention the code benefits of reduced air pollution and reduced medical costs and those accrue to all Hawaii residents, especially youth in Kapuna who live close by to the pollution from our transportation corridors. Thank you. Mahalo nui. >> thank you thank you so much.

101Is there anyone else who has been on this list that wishes to testify? Thank you. Yes, I am. My name is Ruth Robinson. And who is this? Ruth Robinson. I live in Hilo. I'm in Chair Inouye's district. All right. Thank you. >> I bought Thank you. I bought a used electric vehicle from the Kia dealer in Hilo in 1922, I mean, 2022. >> [laughter] >> Without a subsidy because I can afford it and I want more Hawaii residents to be able to afford their own electric vehicles. I strongly support this bill because it will increase access to EVs and help meet Hawaii's climate and energy goals. And of course, as we all know, the federal government is no longer helping us with rebates for EVs. The bill's focus is on equity is especially important. Electric

102vehicles can significantly reduce transportation costs. The HB 2030 HD2 is a practical, balanced, and inclusive policy solution. >> Thank you. Thank you for your Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for being on on Zoom and wish you well as well. Thank you so much. Mahalo. Okay. All right. Okay. And this is who now? The Weaving [clears throat] Trust. The Weaving Our Children's Trust. >> Okay. Um Proceed. >> I'll be quick. We are in strong support. We support Earth Justice and H-Doss amendments. Um we want to really emphasize that this is going to reduce the upfront cost, which is a main barrier for households in Hawaii to access the inherent savings of driving electric. I want to bring up one point that has not been brought up at all, which is the resilience aspect of

103driving EVs. With all the disasters we've been facing, one thing to note is that there's a new technology called bidirectional charging with new EVs, including Rivians, the Ford F-150 Lightning, for example, can charge a owner's home for several days in a power outage. So, there are many other benefits to EVs that have not been discussed. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. All right, we're going to end testimonies on HB 2030. Let's move on to resolutions SCR 31 and SR 27. And this is requesting DOT in coordination with DOE to evaluate, recommend improvements to the licensing, training, and workforce pipeline for school bus drivers in the state. And that's And this also is with regards to SR 27. So, SCR 31 testimony includes SR 27 as well. DOT. Okay, thank you very much. DOE. All

104right, any comments in support? And we also have And that goes for the um the SR 20 27 for both as well. All right, we do have testimonies in from County of Hawaii, Mayor Alameda, and Hawaii County Council Chair Inouye, City and County of Honolulu as well as Kauai County and all those that we appreciate the testimonies that we've received as well. So, we'll move along to Is there anyone else wishes to speak to SCR 31 and SR 27 here in the room? Let's proceed with SCR 147 and SR 131 I'm sorry, SCR 145 and SR 137. And this is requesting the Department of Transportation to convene a task force to evaluate whether the state should implement a demerit point system for traffic violations. And this will then um uh DOT. Okay, thanks so much.

105City and County of Honolulu in support and as well as Johnny Perry and Cora Yamamoto. Uh testifying in both uh both resolutions. All right, is there anyone else wishes to speak to SCR 145 and SR 137? Okay, seeing none hearing none. Let's proceed then. Um IT, we're going to go into immediate um decision-making at this point. Uh 1 second. I do want to add that with regards um there were some questions for DOE on the last or the first resolutions that we've heard. However, uh the chair will send this information on the benefit to schools as well. So, we'll send them a note since they're not here in person. All right. Okay. Just give me the I need to go back. Bill numbers. Okay, is that all that's coming? Okay. All right. Okay, let's proceed

106with decision-making on the transportation committee agenda. HB 1520 HB 1524 and House 1524 House Draft 2. And this is relating to pedestrians. Um This had to do with the cost for jaywalking and hearing testifiers today as well. I was going to increase from 25 to $50, but I think the chair understands that once we do a figure, it goes to another committee. Chair's recommendation that we'll be passing this measure as is. Any Vice Madam Chair, I have some concerns as I feel the fee is a little too low, but I understand the situation of that. I think more enforcement and education is needed in this space, but I understand we also don't want to penalize those that violate this section, but seeing DOT's testimony, I have significant concerns when we do have to lower the

107rate. So, with that, I'll be voting with reservations. Okay, my recommendation was to increase it to $50. I just want further discussions on it. How do you feel? Um I'd like to make it a dollar, so >> [laughter] >> Maybe that balances out. Okay. Okay. Yeah, thank you. Uh $25, $50. The bill calls for $25. So, okay. The chair got to make a decision. Okay, chair's recommendation is to pass this measure as is and let Judiciary also deliberate on this measure. I don't see Noah No no technicals. All right, Vice Chair for the vote on this as is. Chair recommend Chair's recommendation is to pass House Bill 1524 House Draft 2 unamended. Chair votes I, Vice Chair votes I with reservations. Senator Kanuha. Senator Lee. Senator DeCoite. No. Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. >> Okay, thank

108you. Thank you, members. HB 1688 and this is the GE tax exemption for aircraft maintenance. Um Chair's recommendation is to to pass with the amendments and this has to do with a Department of Taxation's recommendation that be amended to January 1st, 2027. It's allowing sufficient time for the work before them. So, Chair's recommendation is to pass HB 1688 House Draft 1 with amendments. Any discussions? Hearing none, Vice Chair for the vote. Chair goes aye. Okay, Chair's recommendation is to pass HB 1688 House Draft 1 with amendments. Of the five members present, any no votes or votes or reservations? Hearing none, Madam Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. Okay, thank you. HB 1691 relating to transportation. Chair's recommendation on this measure um and and I thank all of those in the insurance industry as well for supporting this

109measure. We'll pass this with the amendments to allow for effective date for the time of July 1st, 2027 so that the counties have sufficient times to prepare for implementation. So, Vice Chair for the vote. HB 1691 to pass with amendments. Okay, Chair's recommendation is to pass HB 1691 House Draft 2 with >> Chair goes aye. with amendments. Of the five members present, any no votes or votes votes or reservations? Hearing none, Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. Okay, HB 1692 House Draft 2 relating to traffic safety. Chair's recommendation on this measure is to pass with the amendments recommended by the Attorney General and this is to amend the sections of 291C 27A of the statutes on page 2 line 8 through page 3 line 10. There is technical and not substantive amendments should be recognized and that's

110the recommendation. Any discussions? Hearing none, Vice Chair for the vote. HB 1692 House Draft 2 with amendments. Okay, Chair's recommendation is to pass HB 1692 House Draft 2 with amendments. Of the five members present, any no votes or votes or reservations? Hearing none, Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. Okay, HB uh 2030 House Draft 2. Unfortunately, the Chair is going to recommend that we defer this measure as well. We understand that a rebate pro uh program or any other area of some assistance um uh is pretty much probably needs to be addressed um and the Senate version has died in Ways and Means and I feel that I think that the Ways and Means Committee is not in the mood at least for now to do this establishing a rebate program and of course to create a

111special fund. So, we'll be deferring HB 2030 and let's work on something next year. We'll be happy to see how we can come up with a solution that I don't want to do something that the other states are doing and they it's been faltering there as well unfortunately. So, let's come up with something great that we all can support. SCR 31 and SR 27. Chair's recommendation is to pass this measure as is. Any discussion? Hearing none, Vice Chair for the vote. Chair goes aye. >> Chair's recommendation is to pass SCR 31 and SR 27 unamended. Of the five members present, any no votes or votes or reservations? Hearing none, Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. >> Okay, SCR 145 and SR 137. Chair's recommendation as well is to pass this measure as is. Any discussions? Vice Chair

112for the vote. Chair goes aye. >> Chair's recommendation is to pass SCR 145 and SR 137 unamended. Of the five members present, any no votes or votes or reservations? Hearing none, Madam Chair, recommendations adopted. >> Okay, thank you, folks, and we did it. Okay. All right. This concludes the Committee on Transportation agenda for Tuesday.