Report Title:

Mandatory use of seat belts; exemption for taxicabs

Description:

Provides exemption for passengers in taxicabs from mandatory seat belt requirement.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

450

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an unfair burden is placed on operators of passenger vehicles for hire by the requirement that all automobile passengers make use of seat belts. This places the driver of such a vehicle in the position of having to enforce this law with respect to customers. The legislature finds that it would be beneficial to alleviate this burden by exempting passengers of passenger vehicles for hire from mandatory seat belt use.

SECTION 2. Section 291-11.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) The passengers of the following motor vehicles shall be exempt from the requirements of this section: emergency, commercial, and mass transit vehicles. Further exemptions from this section may be established by rules adopted by the department of transportation pursuant to chapter 91.

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Emergency vehicle" means an ambulance, a firefighting or rescue vehicle, or a police vehicle while on duty.

"Commercial vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is being used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit.

"Mass transit vehicle" means a bus, including a school bus (but excluding a charter or sightseeing service bus) with a gross vehicle weight rating that is over 10,000 pounds, whether publicly or privately owned, which provides service to the general public or provides special service on a regular or continuing basis."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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