Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Law Enforcement To Collaborate To Establish A State Highway Police Force.
Impact
The implementation of a state highway police force is proposed to supplement the existing efforts of county police departments in enforcing traffic laws. This collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Law Enforcement is expected to combine resources and expertise, leading to a more cohesive approach to traffic safety. By establishing a specialized police force, the resolution aims to facilitate faster response times to accidents and better management of traffic incidents, thus potentially reducing secondary accidents caused by congestion and confusion on the roads.
Summary
Senate Resolution 70, introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii in 2026, calls for the establishment of a state highway police force to enhance road safety. This resolution arises from growing concerns regarding the alarming increase in fatalities on Hawaii's roadways, particularly pedestrian and motorcycle deaths, which reached 129 in 2025 – the highest figure since 2007. The resolution emphasizes the need for improved enforcement of traffic laws and better transportation planning to address these pressing issues.
Contention
While the resolution seeks to address serious safety concerns, it may face scrutiny over the allocation of resources and potential overlaps with existing law enforcement responsibilities. Critics might argue about the necessity of forming a separate police force, with discussions likely revolving around the effectiveness of existing systems and whether they can be improved without incurring additional costs. Furthermore, the debate on whether this will lead to increased policing on roads, influencing how traffic enforcement is perceived by the public, is likely to emerge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Transportation Of The County Of Maui To Collaborate With The Kihei Community Association In The Planning And Implementation Of The Kihei Mauka Road Project.
Requesting The Department Of Education And Department Of Law Enforcement To Collaborate On Ensuring Safety At Public Elementary School And State Prekindergarten Program Campuses.
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.
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.
Health: licensing; behavioral health transportation licensing requirements; provide for. Amends 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1001 - 330.2106) by adding ch. 9B. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0927'26
Requires board of education to award certain transportation contracts to most appropriate bidder; requires board of education to hold transportation meeting prior to awarding certain transportation contracts for students with disabilities.