STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3164

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2639

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2639, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOWING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to protect consumers from predatory towing practices by:

(1) Adding definitions to provide clarification of existing statutes governing towing;

(2) Requiring tow and storage companies to accept credit cards; and

(3) Adopting penalties consistent with unfair practices pursuant to section 480-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that predatory towing is a combination of various unethical practices used by some towing companies to maximize their profits, including using spotters to immediately tow cars in violation, charging excessive fees, and making private side deals with parking lot owners. This measure amends existing statutory language to protect consumers from predatory towing practices.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2639, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair