STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1267-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2350

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 2350, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE POLLUTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish:

(1) A separate prohibition on driving motor vehicles with noisy mufflers on public highways in high density areas;

(2) Tiered fines for violations of motor scooter muffler regulations; and

(3) Tiered fines for violations of motor vehicle muffler regulations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Honolulu Police Department; Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9; Windward Coalition; Liveable Honolulu; Diamond Head Ambassador Board of Directors; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Chromeparts and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that excessive noise from modified mufflers on motor vehicles and motorcycles significantly contributes to noise pollution in the State, particularly in densely populated areas. Your Committee further finds that although existing law prohibits vehicle owners from installing mufflers that increase the noise of their vehicle, the penalties for doing so are minimal and do little to deter violations. Your Committee believes that increasing the penalties for after-market muffler modifications will reduce violations of existing laws, leading to lower noise levels and greater health and well-being for the State's residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the prohibition on driving motor vehicles with noisy mufflers shall be on public highways in high density population areas;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2350, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2350, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair