STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1444

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 136

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.R. No. 136 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF ELIMINATING THE STATE'S SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR CARRIER VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility and advisability of eliminating the State's safety inspection requirements for motor vehicles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Transportation Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that motor vehicle safety inspections are a tool designed to ensure all motor vehicles meet minimum safety standards. Presently, it is unclear whether the costs of overseeing and enforcing motor vehicle safety inspections are justified by the benefits of inspection, as vehicle component failure is a factor in a very small percentage of motor vehicle accidents in the State and nationally. Other factors, such as alcohol, speed, and distracted driving, are the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents in the State. This measure considers the feasibility of eliminating the State's safety inspection requirements while also studying alternatives to ensure the safety of all roadway users.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Transportation is requested to study the State's safety inspection requirements for motor vehicles, rather than motor carrier vehicles; and

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 136, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 136, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair