STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1092

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 72

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 72, H.D. 2, 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:

(1) Establish a framework for the regulation of electric foot scooters; and

(2) Amend the definition of "moped" to exclude electric foot scooters.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Department of Transportation; Department of Planning for Kaua‘i County; Department of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu; Honolulu Police Department; Spin; Lime; Helbiz, Inc.; Waikiki Neighborhood Board; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that electric foot scooters and other micromobility options have enormous potential to be a solution to reducing transportation costs, vehicle congestion on Hawaii's roads, dependence on fossil fuels, and pollutants and harmful emissions. These vehicles are also a good option for first-mile/last-mile connections for many who use public transit as a primary mode of transportation. Your Committee further finds that given the frequency with which these scooters are seen on the roads, it is necessary to appropriately regulate these vehicles. This measure establishes a framework for the regulation of electric foot scooters by the State and counties and amends the definitions of "moped" to exclude electric foot scooters.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring that electric foot scooters only be publicly stored or docked at specific locations authorized by a county;

(2) Requiring the funds from the registration of electric foot scooters be deposited into the bikeway fund under section 249-17.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes; 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. 72, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 72, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair