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SB2455
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2455
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO COMMUTING
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that the State's policy of providing highly subsidized
parking for state employees limits the employees' choices, does not reduce
traffic congestion or greenhouse gas emissions, and contradicts state policies
that encourage alternative modes of transportation.
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According to the department of accounting and
general services, 3,968 parking stalls managed by that department are made
available to state employees on O
�
ahu, in addition to three
hundred forty-seven on Hawai
�
i, two hundred ninety-six
on Maui, and two hundred sixty-six on Kaua
�
i.
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The legislature further finds that for many
years the State has offered the limited option to employees to pay for monthly
parking privileges in lots managed by the department of accounting and general
services located at or near the employee's workplace through pre-tax payroll
deductions.
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In addition to the savings
for purchasing parking pre-tax, the parking privileges are offered at a rate of
approximately one‑fourth of the public rate.
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For example, employee parking rates in the
Honolulu downtown area range from $30 to $70 per month before any pre-tax
savings, which is a fraction of the cost to park in nearby private lots.
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Comparatively, the cost of a monthly adult
bus pass on O
�
ahu is $80, and the State
does not provide a comparable bus pass benefit to its employees nor offer to
all employees the ability to purchase a bus pass on a pre-tax basis.
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State employees who travel to work by
bicycle, foot, wheelchair or other mobility aid, or private car sharing also do
not receive any transportation benefit or support even though their commuting
modes reduce the number of cars driven in the State and parked in state lots.
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The legislature also finds that other
jurisdictions, such as Washington, D.C., have enacted equitable transportation
benefits laws and policies.
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Various
options, such as offering an equivalent transportation benefit that employees
could select to apply to the cost of their preferred mode of transportation,
could be implemented to increase parity.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
require the director of human resources development, in consultation with the
Hawai
�
i climate change mitigation and adaptation
commission, state energy office, and department of accounting and general
services, to:
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(1)
�
Develop
a commuting choice benefit program regardless of mode of transportation for all
state employees in the executive branch; and
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(2)
�
Recommend
a similar program for state employees of the legislative and judiciary
branches.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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The director of human
resources development, in consultation with the Hawai
ʻ
i
climate change mitigation and adaptation commission, state energy office, and
department of accounting and general services, shall develop a comprehensive
commuting choice benefit program regardless of mode of transportation for all
state employees in the executive branch.
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The director shall also recommend a comprehensive commuting choice
benefit program for state employees of the legislative and judiciary branches. Each
program shall include walking, rolling using a wheelchair or other mobility
aid, car sharing, biking, and using public transportation, and shall encourage
the use of healthy, safe, economically sound, and environmentally sustainable
commuting modes.
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(b)
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The
director of human resources development shall submit a report on the progress
made toward developing the program to the legislature no later than forty days
prior to the convening of the regular session of
2027.
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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DHRD;
Transportation; Commuting; State Employees; Plan; Commuting Choice Benefit
Program; Report
Description:
Requires the Director of Human Resources
Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and
Adaption Commission, State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and
General Services to develop a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program regardless
of mode of transportation for all state employees in the executive branch and
to recommend a similar program for state employees of the other branches.
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Requires a report to the Legislature.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.