STAND. COM. REP. 16

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 459

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 459 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to preclude uninsured motorists and intoxicated drivers from recovering noneconomic losses after a motor vehicle accident.

The Hawaii Insurers Council and State Farm Insurance Companies testified in support of this measure. The Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs commented on this measure.

Although Hawaii has a mandatory auto insurance law, many motorists operate their vehicle without any automobile insurance. This creates a burden on insured motorists because they must pay for additional insurance coverage to protect themselves against an accident involving an uninsured motorist.

Your Committee understands that under certain circumstances, the provisions of this measure may involve inequitable situations. Despite this concern, your Committee feels that this bill warrants further discussion.

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 H.B. No. 459 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

 

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

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair