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HI SB2699
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/23/2026
Primary Sponsor
Lorraine Inouye
Click for details
AI Summary
- Establishes a fare-free youth transit program within the Department of Transportation providing free public bus and rail service to all children through age 17, high school students, and one guardian accompanying children age 12 or younger
- Creates a fare-free youth transit program special fund financed by redirecting 38 cents per barrel from the existing $1.05 environmental response, energy, and food security tax on petroleum products, plus 36.8% of the 19-cent tax on non-petroleum fossil fuels, generating an estimated $9,870,000 annually
- Requires biannual program evaluations assessing ridership impact, family cost savings, county costs, transportation equity for disadvantaged and rural communities, safety, and alignment with state emissions reduction goals
- Mandates annual reports to the legislature on program status, spending plans, expenditures, and measurable outcomes, with a comprehensive implementation report due before the 2029 legislative session
- Supports Hawaii's statutory goals to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 and achieve net negative greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 by increasing public transit use as an alternative to personal vehicle travel
Legislative Description
Relating To Public Transit.
Appropriations ($)
Last Action
The committee on TRS deferred the measure.
2/12/2026
Committee Referrals
Transportation1/28/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available