HB 1523: Pedestrian-control Signals; Traffic Code; Countdown Timer
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-04-08
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-04-20: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1523 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 291C-33, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§291C-33 Pedestrian-control
signals. Whenever special
pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't
Walk"[,] or the symbols of a walking person or an upraised
palm[, or a countdown timer] are in place, [such] the
signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) Walk or Walking Person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and
(2) Don't Walk or
Upraised Palm. No pedestrian shall start
to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, whether flashing or
steady, but any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian's
crossing on the Walk or Walking Person signal shall complete the crossing to a
sidewalk or safety island while the Don't Walk or Upraised Palm signal is
showing[; and
(3) Countdown
timer. If the pedestrian-control signal
is equipped with a countdown timer, no pedestrian shall start to cross the
roadway in the direction of such signal once the countdown begins, but any
pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian's crossing when the
countdown begins shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island
before the countdown timer ends]."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on March 22, 2075.
Report Title:
Pedestrian-control Signals; Traffic Code; Countdown Timer
Description:
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1523 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 291C-33, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§291C-33 Pedestrian-control
signals. Whenever special
pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't
Walk"[,] or the symbols of a walking person or an upraised
palm[, or a countdown timer] are in place, such signals shall indicate
as follows:
(1) Walk or Walking Person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and
(2) Don't Walk or
Upraised Palm. No pedestrian shall start
to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, whether flashing or
steady, but any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian's
crossing on the Walk or Walking Person signal shall complete the crossing to a
sidewalk or safety island while the Don't Walk or Upraised Palm signal is
showing[; and
(3) Countdown
timer. If the pedestrian-control signal
is equipped with a countdown timer, no pedestrian shall start to cross the
roadway in the direction of such signal once the countdown begins, but any
pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian's crossing when the
countdown begins shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island
before the countdown timer ends]."
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:
Pedestrian-control Signals; Traffic Code; Countdown Timer
Description:
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins. 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.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1523 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the statewide traffic code.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 291C-33, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§291C-33 Pedestrian-control
signals. Whenever special
pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't
Walk"[,] or the symbols of a walking person or an upraised
palm[, or a countdown timer] are in place, such signals shall indicate
as follows:
(1) Walk or Walking Person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and
(2) Don't Walk or
Upraised Palm. No pedestrian shall start
to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, whether flashing or
steady, but any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian's
crossing on the Walk or Walking Person signal shall complete the crossing to a
sidewalk or safety island while the Don't Walk or Upraised Palm signal is
showing[; and
(3) Countdown
timer. If the pedestrian-control signal
is equipped with a countdown timer, no pedestrian shall start to cross the
roadway in the direction of such signal once the countdown begins, but any
pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian's crossing when the
countdown begins shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island
before the countdown timer ends]."
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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Pedestrian-control Signals; Traffic Code; Countdown Timer
Description:
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Apr 20, 2026 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786). |
| Apr 20, 2026 | House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Pierick. |
| Apr 17, 2026 | Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780). |
| Apr 16, 2026 | House disagrees with Senate amendment (s). |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 580) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3691) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). |
| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-31-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Reported from TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3105) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in TRS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS has rescheduled its public hearing to 03-17-26 3:00PM; CR 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-17-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to TRS, JDC. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 135). |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Olds voting no (1) and Representative(s) Perruso, Quinlan, Sayama excused (3). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 993-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 26, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran. |
| Feb 24, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-26-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Muraoka voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 444-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. |
| Feb 17, 2026 | The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Muraoka; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 02-17-26 9:15AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-17-26 at 9:15AM. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 02-12-26 8:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 1 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 14, 2026 | Prefiled. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 14, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
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| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
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| Mar 6, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 26, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Feb 17, 2026 | The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Get Fit Kauaʻi | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Bicycling League | ** Support | |
| Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Bicycling League | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Public Health Institute | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| HEAL Statewide Coalition | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Kaua‘i County Council | *** Support | Feb 12, 2026 |
| Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition | *** Against | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| State of Hawaii Department of Transportation | *** Against | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Walk Wise Hawaii | *** Against | Feb 26, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 993-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1523
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1523, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Healthy Eating + Active Living; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation and Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.
Your Committee finds that currently, pedestrians are prohibited from entering a crosswalk once a countdown timer has begun, regardless of whether the pedestrian is behaving reasonably and has enough time to reach the other side of the street safely. Under existing law, a pedestrian can receive a $130 jaywalking ticket for crossing the street after the countdown timer has started, even if they have more than ample time to cross. Rather than promoting safety, this overly technical law has criminalized ordinary, reasonable behavior. This measure will improve clarity, fairness, and safety for pedestrians.
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. 1523, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 444-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1523
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1523 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Get Fit Kauaʻi; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.
Your Committee finds that existing statutory language governing pedestrian-control signals may unintentionally create ambiguity regarding the legal effect of countdown timers at signalized intersections. Additionally, retaining specific prohibitions tied to the initiation of a countdown may result in inconsistent enforcement and confusion for pedestrians. By removing references to countdown timers from statute, this measure simplifies the law and supports clearer, more consistent application of pedestrian traffic rules.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
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. 1523, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1523, 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,
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____________________________ DARIUS KILA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 31, 2026 | HB1523_HD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_03-31-26_.PDF |
| Mar 17, 2026 | HB1523_HD1_TESTIMONY_TRS_03-17-26_.PDF |
| Feb 26, 2026 | HB1523_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_02-26-26_.PDF |
| Feb 12, 2026 | HB1523_TESTIMONY_TRN_02-12-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
30MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
30MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
4MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
31SEC
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
33SEC
House Standing Committee on Transportation
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
