HB 169: RELATING TO MOPEDS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MOPEDS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that helmets provide moped operators with protection against life-threatening injuries.  According to data from the department of health, from 2021 through 2022, there were five hundred twenty-nine injured moped riders transported to Hawaii hospitals, of which sixty-seven per cent were not wearing a helmet.  Increasing the minimum age for moped ridership and age requirement for moped operators required to wear a safety helmet will improve ridership safety and contribute to an overall safer environment for all road users.

     The purpose of this Act is to increase:

     (1)  The minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years; and

     (2)  The minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years.

     SECTION 2.  Section 291C-195, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Notwithstanding section 286-81(b), no person:

     (1)  Less than [fifteen] sixteen years of age shall drive a moped on a highway, street, roadway, or any other public property in the State; and

     (2)  Less than [eighteen] twenty-one years of age shall drive a moped unless the person wears a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap.

The safety helmet shall meet the specifications and requirements established by rules adopted by the director."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

Report Title:

Mopeds; Age Requirement; Helmets; Highway Safety

Description:

Increases the minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years.  Increases the minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years.  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 mopeds.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that helmets provide moped operators with protection against life-threatening injuries.  According to data from the department of health, from 2021 through 2022, there were five hundred twenty-nine injured moped riders transported to Hawaii hospitals, of which sixty-seven per cent were not wearing a helmet.  Increasing the minimum age for moped ridership and age requirement for moped operators required to wear a safety helmet will improve ridership safety and contribute to an overall safer environment for all road users.

     The purpose of this Act is to increase:

     (1)  The minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years; and

     (2)  The minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years.

     SECTION 2.  Section 291C-195, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Notwithstanding section 286-81(b), no person:

     (1)  Less than [fifteen] sixteen years of age shall drive a moped on a highway, street, roadway, or any other public property in the State; and

     (2)  Less than [eighteen] twenty-one years of age shall drive a moped unless the person wears a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap.

The safety helmet shall meet the specifications and requirements established by rules adopted by the director."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

Report Title:

Mopeds; Age Requirement; Helmets; Highway Safety

Description:

Increases the minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years.  Increases the minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years.

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.  378

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 169

      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. 169 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOPEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase:

     (1)  The minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years; and

     (2)  The minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Moped Doctors Inc.; Mopeds Direct; and seven individuals.

     Your Committee finds that helmets significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening injuries for moped operators.  This measure enhances the safety for moped riders and all road users.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee notes the concerns regarding raising the minimum age requirement for operating a moped while wearing a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one.  Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider whether this requirement is appropriate.

     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. 169, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 169, 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,