STAND. COM. REP. NO. 178

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 650

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 S.B. No. 650 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOW TRUCK PRICING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify fees that may be charged in association with towing services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and GEICO. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Insurers Council.

Your Committee finds that the fees associated with towing services are determined by the Legislature. Your Committee notes the testimony of consumer advocates that the amended fee schedule would ultimately be passed to consumers and, should this measure move forward, encourages your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection to consider what fees may be appropriate.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting blank fee amounts, to encourage further discussion.

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 S.B. No. 650, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 650, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair