Latest news with #HouseCommitteeonTransportation
Axios
11-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Cotham's Mecklenburg County transportation bill advances in N.C. General Assembly
Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham's bill for Mecklenburg County's long-sought 1% transportation sales tax was heard for the first time in the North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday. Why it matters: The House Committee on Transportation's discussion was generally supportive and ended with a favorable review of House Bill 948 — also known as the P.A.V.E. Act — then swiftly referred it to the finance committee. This marks another step forward for Mecklenburg County's ambitions to build more rail, improve the bus system and reduce congestion. Catch up quick: Cotham's bill, filed in April, would give Mecklenburg County the authority to put a 1% sales tax on the November election ballot. If voters approve it, the tax will generate $19.4 billion over 30 years for road and transportation projects — not including leveragable federal dollars. Cotham's original version of the bill set a spending formula of 40% for road projects and 60% for transit projects, intending to create more flexibility to build rail than another version of the bill that capped rail spending at 40%. Yes, but: Cotham made changes to the bill before the hearing on Wednesday. Now, 40% would be spent on road projects, 40% would go toward rail and 20% would fund the bus service. This is the same breakdown as the other bill, filed earlier in February by Republican Senators Bill Rabon, David Craven and Vickie Sawyer. Between the lines: Leaders in Matthews, which is part of Cotham's district, have been opposed to a transportation plan that does not allocate enough money to build the east-west Silver Line light rail to Matthews. It's unclear whether removing the 40% cap on rail would still have been enough for that project to become a reality, considering the county also wants to build the Red Line commuter train to the northern towns. No representative from Matthews was at the meeting to oppose the bill. Rep. Brenden Jones said Matthews has committed to working with legislators to find a happy medium. What they're saying: Several developers and prominent business leaders traveled to Raleigh to speak in favor of the bill at the meeting. They included developers Peter Pappas and Tim Sittema, former chairman of the North Carolina Board of Transportation Ned Curran and Charlotte Regional Business Alliance chair David Longo. "Transportation and traffic issues top the list of concerns we hear about every day," Sittema said. "Congestion is a huge problem. Recently, we had a project where we were asked to enhance or improve seven different intersections nearby, (and) that was not viable for us." The bottom line: While local legislatures voice enthusiasm for the bill's momentum and dedication from the region, those from other parts of the state are acknowledging that it is ultimately up to the local voters to decide.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
House committee backs bill to name Texas highway after Molly Mullins
AUSTIN (KFDX/KJTL) — At the beginning of March, Texoma's Homepage brought you a story about a state lawmaker working to honor Molly Mullens by naming a stretch of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County in her honor. On Thursday, March 27, Molly's parents Marissa and Mike testified to the House Committee on Transportation in favor of House Bill 2457. RELATED: Family of 9 y.o. killed in Wilbarger crash sets sights on Texas highway safety The bill is supported by James Frank, who is also a co-author. Wilbarger County Sheriff Brian Fritze also sent a letter of support for the bill. Marissa said renaming the stretch of the highway is just the start of their work. The two will continue to advocate for safety changes on Texas roadways so no family has to endure the loss they have from over a year ago. 'It honors Molly, but also serves as a reminder that every person on the road is someone's whole world. We must strive with care. Life is fragile. This stretch of the road will always carry our pain, but naming it the Molly Mullins Mile turns it into a place of reflection, a space for love and remembrance and hope,' Marissa Mullens said. Mike Mullens recalled the deadly wreck, calling parts of 287 dangerous. He told the committee the cable barriers were low in a ditch and the car that hit them ran over the top of it not even damaging the barrier. Mullens testified that in the last four years, 78 crossover wrecks and seven deaths have occurred near the area of their accident. 'The sheriff and other police officers in the area had begged us and begged us to come and do this today because this has been a known area that's had a lot of attention and a lot of problems. That's really why we're here today. Because it's just something that can easily be done,' Mike Mullens said. The bill is set to head to the Local and Consent Committee. That means lawmakers believe the bill will pass unanimously with no objection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Safety is nonpartisan': Despite aircraft incidents, experts say flying is still safe
HONOLULU (KHON2) — In less than three weeks there have been at least five incidents involving aircrafts, with plane accidents in Washington, Philadelphia, Alaska, Scottsdale, San Diego and an American flight in Toronto, raising concern over aviation safety amongst Hawaiʻi in particular, aviation safety is paramount, given that the only way for residents to travel is via airplanes to neighbor islands and the continents. If the safety of these airplanes is compromised, those living on the islands are essentially isolated in the middle of the Pacific. Given the travel limitations faced by residents of the islands, local experts such as Rep. Darius Kila, the chair of the House Committee on Transportation, want to inform the public that despite what seems like a troubling trend on the surface, flying is still extremely safe. 'Although these incidents have occurred, there is still a track record of several dozen years of safe aviation,' Kila said. 'So it's unfortunate for the one time that it happens, but for the one time that it has happened, there are several hundreds of thousands of planes that have safely traveled and traversed across the Hawaiʻi waters, to international waters, to the American U.S.' As the transportation committee's chair, Kila works with entities such as the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, private partners and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure safety for Hawaiʻi residents. While Kila understands concerns that may be held by the public, he says that the committee's partners have made it clear that passengers are still safe in the air. 'One incident is one too many, and to see several, not just in a period of five months but several days, I think folks have the right to feel concerned,' the representative said. 'DOT will always touch base with our passenger carriers and remind them that safety is the number one priority, and that any delayed flight is worth delaying in the case of safety… In the name of safety, we will move mountains, because that is the number one priority.' For ʻAina Haina resident and flight attendant Kay-Lynne Richard, her confidence in flying has actually gone up since learning the tricks of the trade. 'I feel very confident that if something happens that my crew and I can rely on each other and we can get work done efficiently and make sure that everybody is safe. We all work really, really hard to put other people first,' Richard said. 'Overall, I trust everybody that's working those planes. I actually felt more scared to fly when I was just a passenger. It was after I got the job that I started to feel so much safer.' For those who may be experiencing anxiety or nervousness on flights, Richard says that relying on the flight crew can help ease some of the worry. 'Don't be afraid to rely on us. The flight attendants are there for a reason, and we are there for all of your needs, whether it's going to be your medical needs, or if you feel unsafe, we can be your cops. Rely on us, that's totally okay,' Richard said. What Richard is concerned about, however, is more at the administrative level. Since his transition back into power, President Donald Trump has made some changes with how federal agencies hire workers and who is in authority at some federal agencies. Trump rolled back Biden-era initiatives for diverse and equitable hiring for FAA employees, calling it 'illegal discrimination.' The Associated Press also reported Trump's firing of heads of the TSA, Coast Guard and other aviation security officials. 'Having diversity and inclusion is so, so important in this field, and keeping things like TSA is very important,' Richard said. 'So the concern, it's been growing as of recently, but overall everybody is very, very qualified and capable. I do feel safe about being on a plane. I don't feel safe with what's going on in politics.' While political transitions could be concerning to some people, Kila says that safety is nonpartisan, and while not everyone will agree on the federal government's actions, secure travel will always be a common ground. 'One good thing about the U.S. DOT transition and the FAA transition is that all of these federal agencies always have to withstand change and partisan divide,' Kila said. 'These agencies need to operate in a nonpartisan fashion. Safety is nonpartisan and bipartisan at the same time, and every party can agree that safety should be our number one priority. We have those reassurances, it makes me feel good.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
E-bike bills advance at City Council, Legislature
The popularity of electric bicycles in Hawaii is undeniable. E-bike riders, frequently children, can often be seen zooming along public streets, sidewalks, parks and thoroughfares. Sometimes they pop wheelies as they whiz past pedestrians or as they intermingle with motorists operating much larger vehicles on island roadways. Many young riders sometimes pack another on a single e-bike. Many underage e-bikers also can be seen without helmets. Fast-moving e-bikes include more serious dangers too, including injury and death, frequently impacting younger riders. The City and County of Honolulu recently reported the alarming trend of 180 e-bike crashes in the first nine months of 2024. The state Department of Health asserts the average number of reported e-bike incidents statewide more than doubled from an average of 10 per month in 2022 to 24 per month in 2024. Oahu experienced a nearly threefold increase, from an average of seven per month in 2022 to 19 per month in 2024, the data indicates. Oahu also accounted for 75 % of the statewide e-bike incidents, with most of the injured patients—65 %—transported by city Emergency Medical Services ambulances to local hospitals, according to DOH. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Helmet usage among e-bike riders has steadily declined too, during the study period, from 51 % in 2022 to 29 % in 2024, the data shows. Under Hawaii law, all kids under age 16 must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. A person must be at least 15 years old to ride a 'low-speed electric bicycle ' registered to an adult household member. To prevent further injuries or fatalities, the Honolulu City Council and the state Legislature have either adopted or advanced new legislation dealing with stricter e-bike regulations. At the state Capitol on Friday, Rep. Darius K. Kila (D, Honokai Hale-Nanakuli-Maili ) highlighted two e-bike bills that have passed out of the House Committee on Transportation but await further committee reviews. House Bill 184 would require operators of low-speed e-bikes to possess a valid driver's license, instruction permit or provisional license. Likewise, HB 958 would require all e-bikes to be operated only with all wheels on the ground at all times, with certain exceptions. HB 958 would also prohibit a person riding a Class 3 e-bike—one equipped with a motor that ceases to provide assistance when it reaches a speed of 28 mph—on a sidewalk. And the same bill would prohibit a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of 18 without a helmet. 'As chair of the House Committee on Transportation and as the area representative of an infrastructure-impacted community on Oahu, I remain committed to improving the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of Hawaii's roadways, ' Kila said in a statement. 'Advancing these measures out of our committee is a crucial step in addressing concerns surrounding road safety, vehicle regulations, and the evolving landscape of transportation technology, ' he added. 'Additionally, we are establishing regulations for electric bicycles to promote responsible use while encouraging sustainable transportation options.' The Council has also acted on greater e-bike regulation in Honolulu. During its Jan. 29 meeting, the panel voted unanimously to adopt Bill 52, which now requires helmets for those who ride e-bikes and seeks to stop unsafe riding practices while operating the machines. The bill currently awaits the mayor's potential approval. If approved, the measure will prohibit 'the operation of bicycles equipped with motors exceeding 750 watts from being operating on 'any public street, highway, alley, path, or trail, including a bikeway.'' The measure also prohibits wheelies. Bill 52 states e-bikes must be 'operated with the bicycle's wheels facing forward and in contact with the ground, and with the operator seated with one leg on each side of the seat, with exceptions for brief instances caused by road surface or other circumstances beyond the operator's control.' It also prohibits an individual from operating an e-bike in 'an unsafe manner, ' or while engaging in exhibition driving on any public street, highway, alley, path, trail, or other public right-of-way, with 'exceptions for exhibition riding as part of a parade, tournament, or other activity permitted by the city.' Before the Council's vote, Eduardo Hernandez, appearing on behalf of the Hawaii Bicycling League, testified in full support of Bill 52. 'This bill helps to strengthen the environment for safer, more sustainable and more affordable transportation, ' he said. 'And it sends a strong message to state lawmakers, transportation stakeholders and the public that we are continuing to examine statutes and regulations and make updates to reflect emerging technologies that are increasingly popular with consumers.' Hernandez noted Bill 52's primary focus was on e-bikes powered by motors exceeding 750 watts. 'And that had not been clear in statute, ' he said. 'Those types of devices lead to a lot of injury because of their high speed.' Kaneohe resident Donald Sakamoto testified that as a blind person he wished Bill 52 included requirements for 'some kind of bell or noise ' to be installed on e-bikes. 'Because as a blind individual … it's very difficult to hear these vehicles, ' he said. 'The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland advocated (for ) automobiles to have sound—even electric vehicles—so that we can hear them.' Sakamoto urged the Council to amend the bill to include similar language for e-bike riders to have audible bells on their machines. 'Because once they get their license for the (e-bike ) and buy it, who reads the manual ?' he added. At the meeting, Council member Augie Tulba queried the Honolulu Police Department on whether Bill 52 will actually help police 'crack down on illegal behavior like wheelies.' Maj. James Slater, with HPD's Traffic Division, said current city laws allow for such actions. 'When I was District 6 commander in Waikiki, we made some headlines on HPD cracking down on e-bikes, ' he said, adding those efforts solely applied to e-bikes. 'I think there's a misconception that when you see these things that look like dirt bikes popping wheelies on the roadway (at ) high speeds, those are not e-bikes. 'Those are electronic dirt bikes or electric motorcycles, ' Slater explained. 'So they would be subject to other statutory (laws ), which we are able to enforce and remove from the streets.' Tulba also asked whether the helmet provision of Bill 52 helps HPD with e-bike enforcement too. 'Yes, ' Slater replied. 'It's an extra tool.' Tulba later said, 'As we all know, e-bikes have been a huge concern in all of our communities for some time. 'Although this bill does not address everything we are hoping to fix, with regards to e-bikes, I believe this gets us closer to our goal of safe streets for all, ' he said.
