HONOLULU (KHON2) — Earlier this month, Gov. Josh Green announced his intent to veto 19 bills passed during the 2024 legislative session including House Bill 958, which aims to regulate the use of electric bicycles and other high-speed electric mobility devices.
The bill would have established safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles and banned the use of high-speed electric devices on public roadways.
The governor said the bill, as written, does not exempt electric cars. His office raised concerns that such a ban could potentially violate the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause and may conflict with the state’s broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“This year we’ve seen an alarming spike in traffic fatalities and serious injuries,” said Eduardo Hernandez, a supporter of the bill. “For the governor to veto it on a technicality, on a hypothetical — maybe this might affect cars — that simply isn’t reflected in the testimony. It’s not reflected in any of the other states we’ve looked at that have adopted similar legislation.”
The governor has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. Any bills not vetoed by that date will become law.