STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2347

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2895

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 2895 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to exclude from the Motor Carrier Safety Law's definition of "motor carrier vehicle" chassis used to transport shipping containers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Harbors Users Group; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; and Young Brothers, LLC.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that, as an island state, Hawaii relies significantly on cargo processed at state harbors, accounting for ninety percent of all imported goods statewide. Shipping container chassis are used to transport cargo on the State's roadways, delivering food, supplies, and other commodities to Hawaii's people. The unimpeded, reliable flow of goods at state commercial harbors ensures the timely delivery and accessibility of various goods and services statewide.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Department of Transportation regarding regulatory incompatibility that may jeopardize future federal funding. Your Committee also notes that the companion to this measure, House Bill No. 1578, H.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2024) (H.B. 1578, H.D. 1), is a similar measure that permits a shipping container chassis that holds a valid out-of-state certificate of vehicle registration to obtain a certificate of safety inspection. Additionally, H.B. No. 1578, H.D. 1, also authorizes an out-of-state registration for a shipping container chassis valid in the State until its expiration in the other state or for one year after a vehicle safety inspection. Your Committee concludes that the language in H.B. No. 1578, H.D. 1, is preferable because the language remains consistent with existing regulations while ensuring the continued safety and roadworthiness of shipping container chassis utilized statewide.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. No. 1578, H.D. 1, a measure that:

(1) Permits a shipping container chassis that holds a valid out-of-state certificate of vehicle registration to obtain a certificate of safety inspection; and

(2) Makes an out-of-state registration for a shipping container chassis valid in the State until its expiration in the other state or for one year after a vehicle safety inspection.

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. 2895, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2895, 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,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair