Bills

HB 1641: High-speed Electric Device; Lease; Rent; Sale; Operation; Prohibitions

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: House
Latest Version Date: 2026-02-19

Current Status:

Failed

(2026-02-20: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

What does this bill do?

The bill bans people and businesses from leasing or renting “high-speed electric devices” and limits selling them unless sellers follow state rules. It also makes it illegal to ride these devices on bike lanes, roads, sidewalks, or streets and imposes fines of $250 to $1,000 for each violation. A “high-speed electric device” is defined as a motorized device over 750 watts that can exceed 28 miles per hour, excluding registered mopeds and certain exempt vehicles.

Version:

Prohibits the lease or rental of a high-speed electric device. Prohibits the sale or offer for sale of a high-speed electric device, under certain conditions. Prohibits the operation of a high-speed electric device in certain situations. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Version:

HB1641 HD2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1641
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§291C- High-speed electric device; lease; rent; sales; operation; prohibited.

(a) No person shall offer for lease or rent a high-speed electric device.

(b) No person shall sell or offer for sale a high-speed electric device, unless the person complies with all applicable regulatory requirements pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $1,000 for each violation. Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

(e) For purposes of this section, "high-speed electric device" means any device with a motor exceeding seven hundred fifty watts and capable of speeds over twenty-eight miles per hour. "High-speed electric device" does not include:

(1) A moped or motor vehicle that is registered as required by law to operate on public roadways; or

(2) A motor vehicle that is specifically exempted from registration in section 286-41."

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

High-speed Electric Device; Lease; Rent; Sale; Operation; Prohibitions

Description:

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

HB1641 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1641
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§291C- High-speed electric device; lease; rent; sales; operation; prohibited.

(a) No person shall offer for lease or rent a high-speed electric device.

(b) No person shall sell or offer for sale a high-speed electric device, unless the person complies with all applicable regulatory requirements pursuant to this chapter.

(1) Moped or motor vehicle that is registered as required by law to operate on public roadways; or

(2) Motor vehicle that is specifically exempted from registration in section 286-41."

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

High-speed Electric Device; Lease; Rent; Sale; Operation; Prohibited

Description:

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

HB1641

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1641
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to transportation.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§291C- Electric bicycles; sales; operation; prohibited. (a) No person shall:

(1) Sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, or otherwise distribute, or possess a high-speed electric bicycle; or

(2) Operate a high-speed electric bicycle upon any bicycle lane, highway, roadway, or street.

(b) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of no less than $ and no more than $ for each violation. Each sale, offer for sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of a high-speed electric bicycle shall constitute a separate offense.

(1) Equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling; and

(2) Capable of reaching speeds greater than twenty miles per hour with motor assistance."

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

High-Speed Electric Bicycle; Sale; Operation; Prohibited

Description:

Prohibits the sale, offer for sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of a high-speed electric bicycle. Establishes penalties.

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

Date	Status
Feb 20, 2026	Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).
Feb 20, 2026	Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 678-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to JHA.
Feb 18, 2026	The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Kong, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Pierick; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen.
Feb 13, 2026	Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Wednesday, 02-18-26 2:00PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Feb 12, 2026	Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
Feb 12, 2026	Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 208-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
Feb 10, 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, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Pierick; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
Feb 6, 2026	Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 02-10-26 8:01AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Feb 5, 2026	The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-10-26 at 8:01 AM.
Feb 10, 2026	The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-10-26 at 8:01 AM.
Feb 3, 2026	Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 02-05-26 9:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Jan 26, 2026	Referred to TRN, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 1
Jan 21, 2026	Introduced and Pass First Reading.
Jan 20, 2026	Prefiled.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Feb 18, 2026	The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce	8 1 2 Passed
Feb 10, 2026	The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	House Standing Committee on Transportation	7 1 1 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

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.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Department of Transportation	** Support
Department of Transportation	*** Support	Feb 5, 2026
Department of Transportation	** Support
Hawai‘i Bicycling League	*** Against	Feb 5, 2026

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 678-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1641

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1641, 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 regulate high-speed electric devices by:

(1) Prohibiting the lease or rent of high-speed electric devices;

(2) Prohibiting the sale or offer for sale of high-speed electric devices under certain conditions; and

(3) Prohibiting the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway, or street.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the growing popularity of alternative modes of transportation, including electric bicycles, electric mopeds, and other electric mobility devices, allows residents to reduce their transportation expenses while reducing their carbon footprints. However, your Committee further finds that the growing incidence of persons improperly operating such devices are increasingly frustrating to all users of roadways and are a growing threat to public health and safety. This measure, in an effort to promote safety for all users of roadways in the State, regulates high-speed electric devices.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Prohibiting the operation of a high-speed electric device on any sidewalk; 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1641, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1641, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 208-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1641

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. 1641 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the sale, offer for sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of a high-speed electric bicycle; and

(2) Establish penalties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Bicycling League and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the increasing availability and use of high-speed electric devices on public roadways raise significant safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. High-speed electric devices capable of exceeding twenty miles per hour with motor assistance can operate at speeds inconsistent with the design and intended use of bicycle lanes and shared-use paths, increasing the risk of collisions and serious injury. Clear standards are necessary to distinguish permissible high-speed electric devices from higher-speed devices that function more like motor vehicles and require different regulatory treatment. By establishing certain standards related to high-speed electric devices, this measure promotes roadway safety and preserves the safe use of bicycle infrastructure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Prohibiting any person from offering for lease or rent any high-speed electric device;

(2) Clarifying that no person shall sell or offer for sale a high-speed electric device, unless the person complies with applicable regulatory requirements;

(3) Clarifying that the operation of a high-speed electric device on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway, or street is prohibited;

(4) Inserting minimum and maximum amounts for fines;

(5) Deleting the definition for "high-speed electric bicycle" and inserting a definition for "high-speed electric device";

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

(7) 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. 1641, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1641, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Feb 18, 2026	HB1641_HD1_TESTIMONY_CPC_02-18-26_.PDF
Feb 5, 2026	HB1641_TESTIMONY_TRN_02-05-26_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

51SEC

Authors shown for version:
HB1641_HD2 (2/19/2026)

HB 1641: High-speed Electric Device; Lease; Rent; Sale; Operation; Prohibitions

Current Status:

What does this bill do?

House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce

House Standing Committee on Transportation

House Standing Committee on Transportation

House Standing Committee on Transportation