STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1389

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 480

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 480, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the definitions of "special interest vehicle", "street rod replica vehicle", and "street rod vehicle", for purposes of the Hawaii Highway Safety Act, to be based on the age of the vehicle or the parts used, rather than a certain year of manufacture; and

(2) Require vehicles to meet the safety standards that were in effect at the time of manufacture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that the popularity of street rod replica vehicles and street rod vehicles, also known as "classic cars", has grown in the State. However, owners of certain classic cars face challenges as existing law defines classic cars by year rather than age. This measure allows for more recent vehicles to be considered and treated as "street rod" vehicles while also ensuring the safety of both the vehicle and its user.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Establishing a task force to examine the motor vehicle safety inspection and motor vehicle registration processes in the State to determine requirements, qualifications, and streamlined processes that are simplified for consumers; and

(2) 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 and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 480, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 480, 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 and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair