Tax bills win preliminary approval from Hawaiʻi lawmakers

Another little-known tax proposal still moving this year would increase the state vehicle weight tax for large trucks and SUVs to help fund the Safe Routes To Schools program.

That program supports projects such as paths and bike lanes to encourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic within a one-mile radius of school zones. Supporters say that program is underfunded.

House Bill 1231 would increase the current annual state vehicle weight tax from 2 cents to 3 cents per pound for vehicles that weigh 4,000 to 7,000 pounds, and increase the tax from 2.25 cents to 3.75 cents per pound for vehicles from 7,000 to 10,000 pounds.

Abbey Seitz, director of transportation equity for the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, told lawmakers in written testimony the tax increase is designed to both increase pedestrian safety and also “reduce the prevalence of large, dangerous vehicles on the road.”