RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

SB2556

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2556

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 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:

����
"
�291-
�
Engine
brakes; prohibited.
�
(a)
�

No person shall operate a motor vehicle equipped with an engine brake:

����
(1)
�
In any area
where the posted speed limit is thirty‑five miles per hour or less; and

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(2)
�
Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more.

����
(b)
�

Any person who violates this section shall be fined
$ .

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(c)
�
As used in this section:

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"Engine brake" means a
vehicle brake system that uses engine compression to slow the vehicle and
produces an audible release of compressed air or exhaust gases.

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"Motor vehicle" has the
same meaning as in section 286-2.
"

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SECTION
2
.
�
Section 291C-55, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

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"
[
[
]
�291C-55[
]
]
�
Oversized commercial vehicles;
towing;
prohibition
from using left lane.
�
(a)
�

Upon any roadway having three or more lanes for traffic moving in the
same direction, no commercial vehicle weighing ten thousand pounds or more
or
motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer
shall be driven in the far left
lane unless:

����
(1)
�
T
he
commercial vehicle
or motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer
is able
to maintain speed with existing traffic flow; and

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(2)
�
The
commercial vehicle
or motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer
is in
the process of overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same
direction under the rules governing such movement.

����
(b)
�
This section shall not apply to [
commercial
]
:

����
(1)
�
Commercial
vehicles
or motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer

occupying the left lane for the purpose of turning left or exiting, or
preparing to turn left or exit[
.
]
; or

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(2)
�
Motor vehicles used for public transit,
school buses, and authorized emergency vehicles.

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(c)
�
Any person who violates this section shall:

����
(1)
�
For a first violation, be fined no more
than $ ;

����
(2)
�
For a second violation, be fined no more
than $ ; and

����
(3)
�
For a third or subsequent violation
committed within three years of any other violation of this section, be fined
no more than
$ , attend a
traffic safety course, or both.

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(d)
�

This section shall apply only to a county with a population of five
hundred thousand or more.

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[
(c)
]
(e)
�
For the purposes of this section[
,
"commercial
]
:

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"Commercial

vehicle" shall have the same meaning as in section 291-11.5.
�
"Commercial vehicle" does not
include buses or van pools operated by the counties.

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"Trailer"
shall have the same meaning as in section 286-2.
"

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SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

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SECTION
4.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Motor
Vehicles; Engine Brake; Prohibited; Traffic Code; Towing; Restrictions;
Penalties

Description:

Prohibits
any person from operating a motor vehicle equipped with an engine brake in
certain areas.
�
Prohibits motor vehicles
that tow a vehicle or trailer from driving in the far left lane on any roadway that
has three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction in a county
with a population of five hundred thousand or more, with certain exceptions.
�
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.