Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR80

Introduced
3/16/26  

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Law Enforcement To Collaborate To Establish A State Highway Police Force.

Impact

If SCR80 is successfully enacted, it is expected to enhance traffic law enforcement across the state, potentially leading to safer roadways. The proposal emphasizes an integrated approach to traffic safety, which combines resources and expertise from both transportation and law enforcement. By creating a specialized highway police force, the state aims to improve response times to accidents and reduce the instances of secondary accidents that often occur due to congestion following crashes. This state initiative would work in tandem with county police efforts, supplementing and strengthening existing traffic law enforcement measures.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR80 addresses the rising dangers faced on Hawaii's roadways, primarily due to an alarming increase in pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities. The resolution calls for the collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Law Enforcement to establish a dedicated state highway police force. This initiative is a response to growing concerns, particularly on Oahu, where 2025 saw a significant uptick in traffic-related deaths, culminating in 129 fatalities — the highest count since 2007. This suggests a pressing need for improvements in road safety and enforcement of traffic regulations.

Contention

While the resolution appears to gather support based on the urgent need for improved safety, notable points of contention may arise around the implications of establishing a separate highway police force. Concerns could include the allocation of state resources, jurisdictional overlaps with existing county police forces, and whether the establishment of a state highway police would effectively address the root causes of roadway dangers. The resolution hints at potential opposition from different stakeholders concerned about the effectiveness and necessity of an expanded law enforcement presence on Hawaii's highways.

Companion Bills

HI SR70

Same As Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Law Enforcement To Collaborate To Establish A State Highway Police Force.

HI HCR127

Same As Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Law Enforcement To Collaborate To Establish A State Highway Police Force.

Previously Filed As

HI SCR23

Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Law Enforcement To Study The Possibility Of A Highway Patrol And Speed Cameras Along Major Freeways And Highways In Primary Areas Of Speeding.

HI SCR32

Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Collaborate With The Department Of Transportation To Use Inmate Work Furlough Programs For State Roadway And Highway Maintenance.

HI SR18

Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Collaborate With The Department Of Transportation To Use Inmate Work Furlough Programs For State Roadway And Highway Maintenance.

HI HCR43

Requesting The Department Of Law Enforcement And Department Of Transportation To Study The Possibility Of A Highway Patrol And The Installation Of Speed Cameras Along Major Freeways And Highways In Primary Areas Of Speeding, Including The Impact It Would Have On The District Courts.

HI SCR235

Requesting The Department Of Law Enforcement To Establish, In Collaboration With The City And County Of Honolulu, Fair Policies And Processes For Towing And Disposing Of Vehicles That Belong To Active Duty Servicemembers And That Are Abandoned On State Or City Property.

HI SCR214

Requesting The Department Of Education And Department Of Law Enforcement To Collaborate On Ensuring Safety At Public Elementary School And State Prekindergarten Program Campuses.

HI HCR50

Requesting The Department Of Law Enforcement, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health, To Convene A Task Force To Address No-trespassing Policies Along Streams On Oahu And Improve Coordination Between State And County Authorities To Address Environmental And Public Health Concerns.

HI HR46

Requesting The Department Of Law Enforcement, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health, To Convene A Task Force To Address No-trespassing Policies Along Streams On Oahu And Improve Coordination Between State And County Authorities To Address Environmental And Public Health Concerns.

HI SCR37

Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Public Works Of The County Of Maui To Collaborate With The Kihei Community Association In The Planning And Implementation Of The Kihei Mauka Road Project.

HI SCR175

Requesting The Airports Division Of The Department Of Transportation To Convene A Task Force To Explore The Feasibility Of Establishing And Implementing A Corporation To Manage The State's Airports.

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