STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1319
Honolulu, Hawaii
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
President of the Senate
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 754, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC FOOT SCOOTERS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a framework for the Department of Transportation and the counties to regulate electric foot scooters and prohibit the use of electric foot scooters to individuals under the age of 18.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency; Lime; Hawaii Bicycling League; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee finds that the types of motorized vehicles that are being introduced in the market are very innovative and constantly being updated based on technology and ease of widespread adoption. In particular, electric foot scooters are experiencing an increase in popularity as an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. Your Committee believes that as new electric motorized vehicles, such as electric foot scooters, are introduced into the State, there should exist fair and just regulation of the vehicles to ensure the safety and viability for all.
Your Committee notes the concern regarding safe places of operation for electric foot scooters, such as roadways or in bike lanes, may cause safety issues for other users of the roadways and bike lanes. Your Committee encourages further discussion as to where electric foot scooters can safely be operated in the State to ensure the safety of all.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the age prohibition to operate an electric foot scooter from eighteen years of age to fifteen years of age;
(2) Requiring that in lieu of red rear reflectors, all electric foot scooters be equipped with a lighted lamp visible from the rear of the electric foot scooter; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 754, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 754, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
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________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair |
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