Hawaii HR51: Urging the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the City and County of Honolulu to Utilize Artificial Intelligence to Mitigate Traffic and Improve Road Safety in the State.

What the bill says

From the engrossed text:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H R. N 0 TI-HRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D. . HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO UTILIZE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO MITIGATE TRAFFIC AND IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY IN THE STATE. WHEREAS, Hawaii reported a total of one hundred twenty-nine traffic fatalities in 2025 equating to a twenty percent increase from the previous year; and WHEREAS, this alarming figure represents the deadliest year in the State since 2007; and WHEREAS, it was reported that eighty-two traffic deaths occurred on the island of Oahu alone; and WHEREAS, Hawaii ranks in the top twenty most congested states in the nation; and WHEREAS, according to the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard created by INRIX, the average American driver loses forty-nine hours in traffic congestion annually, which is a six hour increase from the previous year's report; and WHEREAS, according to INRIX's report, those hours lost sitting in traffic amount to nearly $894 annually per driver that could otherwise be productive, including leisure time that has been wasted behind the wheel; and WHEREAS, states should continuously seek to upgrade hardware platforms that can better support traffic systems, including venturing into the use of artificial intelligence (Al) ; and WHEREAS, Al traffic management systems are developed to integrate with current traffic systems …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38) · primary sponsor
• David Alcos (R, 41)
• Diamond Garcia (R, 42)
• Gedeon, Joe (R, 18)
• Christopher Muraoka (R, 45)
• Elijah Pierick (R, 39)
• Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40)
• Garner Shimizu (R, 32)
• Shirley Ann Templo (D, 30)

Latest actions

1. April 8, 2026: The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2. April 2, 2026: Resolution scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 04-08-26 9:30AM in conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
3. April 2, 2026: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on ECD as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
4. April 2, 2026: Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1691-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to ECD.
5. March 31, 2026: The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Cochran, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
6. March 27, 2026: Resolution scheduled to be heard by TRN on Tuesday, 03-31-26 10:00AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
7. March 18, 2026: Referred to TRN, ECD, referral sheet 18
8. March 16, 2026: Offered
9. March 12, 2026: To be offered.

Votes

• Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on ECD as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 2, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• TRN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 31, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HR51?

HR51 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Urging the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the City and County of Honolulu to Utilize Artificial Intelligence to Mitigate Traffic and Improve Road Safety in the State.

What is the status of HR51?

Failed as of April 8, 2026. Latest action: The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. (April 8, 2026).

Who sponsored HR51?

Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38), with 8 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HR51?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=51&year=2026