HB 1259: DOT; Speed Limits; Factors to Consider; Reduction

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The department of transportation or a county shall consider the following factors when setting a maximum speed limit pursuant to section 291C-102:

     (1)  An engineering study conducted for the road whose maximum speed limit is being set[; provided that the engineering study], which shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles; provided [further] that [the requirements of] this paragraph shall not apply when the department of transportation or any county reduces a maximum speed limit within [one]:

          (A)  One mile of a school; and

          (B)  Ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road;

     (2)  For sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately adjacent to the roadway, the department of transportation or a county shall, to the extent practicable, consider guidance provided by the National Association of City Transportation Officials; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to supersede any applicable federal standards or requirements; and

    [(2)] (3)  Any other factors prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as amended."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DOT; Speed Limits; Factors to Consider; Reduction

Description:

Specifies that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road.  Requires the Department of Transportation or a county, to the extent practicable, to consider National Association of City Transportation Officials guidance when setting a maximum speed limit for sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately on a highway.  (CD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The department of transportation or a county shall consider the following factors when setting a maximum speed limit pursuant to section 291C-102:

     (1)  An engineering study conducted for the road whose maximum speed limit is being set[; provided that the engineering study], which shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles; provided [further] that [the requirements of] this paragraph shall not apply when the department of transportation or any county reduces a maximum speed limit within [one]:

          (A)  One mile of a school; and

          (B)  Ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road;

     (2)  For sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately on a highway, the department of transportation shall use guidance provided by the National Association of City Transportation Officials; and

    [(2)] (3)  Any other factors prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as amended."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOT; Speed Limits; Factors to Consider; Reduction

Description:

Specifies that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road.  Requires the Department of Transportation to use National Association of City Transportation Officials guidance when setting a maximum speed limit for sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately on a highway.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The department of transportation or a county shall consider the following factors when setting a maximum speed limit pursuant to section 291C-102:

     (1)  An engineering study conducted for the road whose maximum speed limit is being set[; provided that the engineering study], which shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles; provided [further] that [the requirements of] this paragraph shall not apply when the department of transportation or any county reduces a maximum speed limit within [one]:

          (A)  One mile of a school; and

          (B)  Ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road; and

     (2)  Any other factors prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as amended."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Speed Limits; Factors to Consider; Reduction

Description:

Specifies that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to transportation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The department of transportation or a county shall consider the following factors when setting a maximum speed limit pursuant to section 291C-102:

     (1)  An engineering study conducted for the road whose maximum speed limit is being set[; provided that the engineering study], which shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles; provided [further] that the requirements of this paragraph shall not apply when the department of transportation or any county reduces a maximum speed limit within [one]:

          (A)  One mile of a school; and

          (B)  Ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road.

     (2)  Any other factors prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as amended."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Speed Limits; Factors to Consider; Reduction

Description:

Specifies that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 62

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2025

RE:    H.B. No. 1259

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madam and Sir:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Specify that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of an existing speed limit for that road; and

     (2)  Require the Department of Transportation to use National Association of City Transportation Officials guidance when setting a maximum speed limit for sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately on a highway.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that for sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately adjacent to the roadway, the Department of Transportation or a county, are required to consider guidance provided by the National Association of City Transportation Officials to the extent practicable;

     (2)  Specifying that the requirement to consider guidance provided by the National Association of City Transportation Officials shall not be construed to supersede any applicable standards or requirements;

     (3)  Changing its effective date to upon approval; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1511

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1259

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Specify that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road; and

     (2)  Require the Department of Transportation to use National Association of City Transportation Officials guidance when setting a maximum speed limit for sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately on a highway.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that traffic fatalities increased ten percent between 2023 and 2024 in the State.  Additionally, a 2024 behavioral study conducted by the Department of Transportation found that nearly twenty-five percent of respondents admitted to exceeding the speed limit by more than twenty miles-per-hour, and over fifty percent admitted to exceeding the speed limit by ten to twenty miles-per-hour in the previous six months.  By lowering speed limits, this measure will provide an effective safety countermeasure to reduce crashes and reduce traffic related deaths and serious injuries in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1299

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1259

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the current speed limit for that road.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Transportation conducted an annual behavioral study and found that nearly one‑quarter of respondents admitted to exceeding the speed limit by more than twenty miles per hour, and over half exceeded the speed limit by ten to twenty miles per hour in the last six months.  Your Committee further finds lowering speed limits is an effective safety countermeasure to reduce traffic fatalities.  Accordingly, this measure will promote road safety for motorists and pedestrians alike by allowing the Department of Transportation or counties flexibility in lowering speed limits within one mile of a school and ten miles per hour.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by requiring the Department of Transportation to use National Association of City Transportation Officials guidance when setting a maximum speed limit for sections of highways with residential or commercial areas or schools immediately on a highway.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  896

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1259

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to specify that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the existing speed limit for that road.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that from 2023 to 2024, traffic fatalities in Hawaii increased by ten percent.  Your Committee further finds that over half of all respondents to the 2024 annual behavioral study conducted by the Department of Transportation reported exceeding the posted speed limit by ten to twenty miles per hour and nearly one quarter reported exceeding the posted speed limit by more than twenty miles per hour.  Granting the Department of Transportation the flexibility to lower maximum speed limits within ten miles per hour of the existing speed limit without first conducting a study, as proposed by this measure, will help the State achieve its goal of reducing traffic related deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2045.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  372

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1259

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1259 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to specify that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum speed limit within ten miles per hour of the existing speed limit for that road.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that existing requirements for an engineering study before reducing speed limits creates a delay in implementing necessary traffic safety measures.  This requirement can be particularly burdensome when modest speed limit reductions, such as those within ten miles per hour of the existing speed limit, are warranted to improve road safety.  This measure is crucial to allow more efficient adjustments to speed limits, thereby enhancing public safety without unnecessary procedural obstacles.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1259, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,