STAND. COM. REP. NO. 240

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 586

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 S.B. No. 586 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) Specify that a certificate of inspection shall be issued if a vehicle is not equipped with a noisy muffler or exhaust system;

(2) Require rules regarding safety check inspections to ensure that a motorcycle, moped, or motor vehicle is not equipped with a noisy muffler or exhaust system;

(3) Suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of a permit for an official inspection station upon a third or subsequent wilful violation of any rule regarding inspection of noisy muffler or exhaust system;

(4) Establish violations of noisy muffler laws as a petty misdemeanor; and

(5) Include repairs or installation of a noisy muffler or exhaust system as a prohibited practice for motor vehicle repair regulations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Specialty Equipment Market Association.

Your Committee finds that many residents throughout the State have complained of the growing noise pollution and disturbances from loud mufflers on motor vehicles, which are often outfitted with aftermarket parts to exceed factory settings. The complaints claim that the noise level adversely affects sleep, particularly in the early morning hours or late at night. To protect public health and safety, while improving the quality of life for all residents, this measure enhances existing muffler laws by increasing minimum and maximum fines for violations and increases enforcement efforts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; 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 S.B. No. 586, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 586, 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