HB 1524: Pedestrian; Violations; Fines; Limitation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State's existing statutes relating to pedestrian infractions impose fines that are often excessive and inequitable, particularly when compared to the relative risk and harm posed by different types of traffic violations.  For example, fines for pedestrian infractions, such as crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or entering a crosswalk during a flashing "Don't Walk" signal, can exceed or approach the penalties for certain moving vehicle violations, including lower-level speeding infractions, which carry far greater risk to public safety.

     The legislature further finds that these fines fall most heavily on individuals who are already economically vulnerable.  Research shows that monetary sanctions for low-level offenses, including pedestrian violations, disproportionately burden low‑income residents, many of whom rely on walking and public transportation as their primary means of mobility.  Studies have shown that excessive fines and fees often perpetuate cycles of debt, push residents into financial instability, and criminalize poverty without improving safety outcomes.  In Hawaii, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, such fines can have particularly harsh impacts on those least able to pay.

     The legislature also recognizes that over-penalizing pedestrians runs counter to the State's broader transportation and climate goals, which prioritize walking, biking, and public transit as safe, affordable, and sustainable modes of travel.  Penalizing walking with disproportionately high fines discourages these healthy and environmentally beneficial behaviors.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote fairness in the State's traffic laws by ensuring that fines for pedestrian infractions are reasonable, proportionate, and not unduly punitive.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291C-     Limitations on pedestrian fines.  (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the total monetary fine imposed upon a pedestrian for any violation under this chapter shall not exceed $25 per violation.

     (b)  The judiciary, department of transportation, and counties shall revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to ensure compliance with this section."

     SECTION 3.  Section 291C-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

     "(e)  Every [person] pedestrian who violates this section shall be fined [$100.] no more than $25."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on March 22, 2075.

Report Title:

Pedestrian; Violations; Fines; Limitation

Description:

Establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed $25.  Requires state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.  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.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State's existing statutes relating to pedestrian infractions impose fines that are often excessive and inequitable, particularly when compared to the relative risk and harm posed by different types of traffic violations.  For example, fines for pedestrian infractions, such as crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or entering a crosswalk during a flashing "Don't Walk" signal, can exceed or approach the penalties for certain moving vehicle violations, including lower-level speeding infractions, which carry far greater risk to public safety.

     The legislature further finds that these fines fall most heavily on individuals who are already economically vulnerable.  Research shows that monetary sanctions for low-level offenses, including pedestrian violations, disproportionately burden low‑income residents, many of whom rely on walking and public transportation as their primary means of mobility.  Studies have shown that excessive fines and fees often perpetuate cycles of debt, push residents into financial instability, and criminalize poverty without improving safety outcomes.  In Hawaii, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, such fines can have particularly harsh impacts on those least able to pay.

     The legislature also recognizes that over-penalizing pedestrians runs counter to the State's broader transportation and climate goals, which prioritize walking, biking, and public transit as safe, affordable, and sustainable modes of travel.  Penalizing walking with disproportionately high fines discourages these healthy and environmentally beneficial behaviors.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote fairness in the State's traffic laws by ensuring that fines for pedestrian infractions are reasonable, proportionate, and not unduly punitive.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291C-     Limitations on pedestrian fines.  (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the total monetary fine imposed upon a pedestrian for any violation under this chapter shall not exceed $25 per violation.

     (b)  The judiciary, department of transportation, and counties shall revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to ensure compliance with this section."

     SECTION 3.  Section 291C-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

     "(e)  Every [person] pedestrian who violates this section shall be fined [$100.] no more than $25."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Pedestrian; Violations; Fines; Limitation

Description:

Establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed $25.  Requires state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

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 PEDESTRIANS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State's existing statutes relating to pedestrian infractions impose fines that are often excessive and inequitable, particularly when compared to the relative risk and harm posed by different types of traffic violations.  For example, fines for pedestrian infractions, such as crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or entering a crosswalk during a flashing "Don't Walk" signal, can exceed or approach the penalties for certain moving vehicle violations, including lower-level speeding infractions, which carry far greater risk to public safety.

     The legislature further finds that these fines fall most heavily on individuals who are already economically vulnerable.  Research shows that monetary sanctions for low-level offenses, including pedestrian violations, disproportionately burden low‑income residents, many of whom rely on walking and public transportation as their primary means of mobility.  Studies have shown that excessive fines and fees often perpetuate cycles of debt, push residents into financial instability, and criminalize poverty without improving safety outcomes.  In Hawaii, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, such fines can have particularly harsh impacts on those least able to pay.

     The legislature also recognizes that over-penalizing pedestrians runs counter to the State's broader transportation and climate goals, which prioritize walking, biking, and transit as safe, affordable, and sustainable modes of travel.  Penalizing walking with disproportionately high fines discourages these healthy and environmentally beneficial behaviors.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote fairness in the State's traffic laws by ensuring that fines for pedestrian infractions are reasonable, proportionate, and not unduly punitive.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291C-     Limitations on pedestrian fines.  (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the total monetary fine imposed upon a pedestrian for any violation under this chapter shall not exceed $     per violation.

     (b)  The judiciary, department of transportation, and counties shall revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to ensure compliance with this section."

     SECTION 3.  Section 291C-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

     "(e)  Every [person] pedestrian who violates this section shall be fined [$100.] no more than $          ."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Pedestrian; Violations; Fines; Limitation

Description:

Establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed an unspecified amount.  Requires state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.  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 PEDESTRIANS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State's current statutes relating to pedestrian infractions impose fines that are often excessive and inequitable, particularly when compared to the relative risk and harm posed by different types of traffic violations.  For example, fines for pedestrian infractions, such as crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or entering a crosswalk during a flashing "Don’t Walk" signal, can exceed or approach the penalties for certain moving vehicle violations, including lower-level speeding infractions, which carry far greater risk to public safety.

     The legislature further finds that these fines fall most heavily on individuals who are already economically vulnerable.  Research shows that monetary sanctions for low-level offenses, including pedestrian violations, disproportionately burden low‑income residents, many of whom rely on walking and public transportation as their primary means of mobility.  Studies have shown that excessive fines and fees often perpetuate cycles of debt, push residents into financial instability, and criminalize poverty without improving safety outcomes.  In Hawaiʻi, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, such fines can have particularly harsh impacts on those least able to pay.

     The legislature also recognizes that over-penalizing pedestrians runs counter to the State's broader transportation and climate goals, which prioritize walking, biking, and transit as safe, affordable, and sustainable modes of travel.  Penalizing walking with disproportionately high fines discourages these healthy and environmentally beneficial behaviors.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote fairness in the State's traffic laws by ensuring that fines for pedestrian infractions are reasonable, proportionate, and not unduly punitive.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291C-    Limitations on Pedestrian Fines.  (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the total monetary fine imposed upon a pedestrian for any violation under this chapter shall not exceed $25 per violation.

     (b)  The judiciary, the department of transportation, and the counties shall revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to ensure compliance with this section."

     SECTION 3.  Section 291C-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

     "(e)  Every [person] pedestrian who violates this section shall be fined [$100.] not more than $25."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Pedestrian; Violations; Fines; Limitation

Description:

Establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed $25.  Requires state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1176-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1524

      H.D. 2

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. 1524, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish that fines for pedestrian violations of the statewide traffic code shall not exceed an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Require state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that high fines for pedestrians are ineffective at producing roadway safety results.  Your Committee also finds that fines for pedestrians who violate jaywalking laws can be unjustly higher than those for certain driving-related traffic violations.  For example, jaywalking carries a fine of $130, while running a red light on Oahu starts at $97.28, despite the fact that running a red light carries a far greater risk to public safety.  This measure will ensure that fines for pedestrian violations are reasonable, proportionate, and not unduly punitive.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that fines for pedestrian violations of the statewide traffic code shall not exceed $25; and

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

     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. 1524, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1524, H.D. 2.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  441-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1524

      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. 1524 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish that fines for pedestrian violations shall not exceed $25; and

     (2)  Require state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Get Fit Kauaʻi; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary; Department of Health; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that existing fines for pedestrian infractions are often disproportionate to the relative risk posed by such violations, particularly when compared to penalties for certain moving vehicle offenses that present greater threats to public safety.  High monetary penalties for low-level pedestrian violations can impose significant financial hardship, especially on low-income residents who rely on walking and public transportation as primary modes of travel.  By capping fines for pedestrian violations at a reasonable and proportionate amount, this measure promotes fairness in traffic enforcement while supporting the State's broader goals of encouraging safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation options.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the fine to an unspecified amount;

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

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

     Your Committee notes that the measure originally contained a maximum fine amount of $25 and respectfully requests your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an effective date of January 1, 2027, to allow for necessary updates and proper implementation by the courts.

     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. 1524, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1524, 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,