STAND. COM. REP. NO. 861

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 587

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 587, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Increase the minimum and maximum fines for violating provisions relating to the installation of noisy mufflers; and

(2) Authorize police officers with probable cause to stop vehicles with noisy mufflers to inspect their mufflers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9.

Your Committee finds that growing noise pollution and disturbances from loud mufflers on motor vehicles are a problem. This noise adversely affects sleep in the early and late hours, which has a negative impact on public health and safety as well as general enjoyment and quality of life. This measure would deter violators by increasing fines for the installation of loud mufflers on motor vehicles.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that any enforcement officer of the State shall have the authority to conduct examinations and inspections if the officer has probable cause to believe that a vehicle's excessively noisy muffler is evidence of violations of provisions relating to the installation of noisy mufflers;

(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 587, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 587, S.D. 2.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair