HI HB316

Establishes the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee within the Department of Transportation's Planning Branch to develop strategies ensuring every child can safely bike, walk, roll, or bus to school.

Committee must develop a comprehensive statewide safe routes to school plan by November 1, 2026, including methods to stabilize special fund distribution, streamline program funding, identify equitable funding mechanisms, and prioritize services for Title I schools.

Committee composition includes the safe routes to school program coordinator, representatives from the departments of health and education, police departments from all four counties, county safe routes coordinators, metropolitan planning organizations, and representatives from community organizations including Hawaii Bicycling League and Hawaii Public Health Institute.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to hire one full-time safe routes to school program coordinator and procure necessary facilities and equipment to support the advisory committee.

Takes effect July 1, 2023, with the comprehensive plan to be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2027 regular session.