STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1036

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.B. No. 615

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 615, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENTALS OF MOPEDS AND MOTOR SCOOTERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require all moped and motor scooter rental companies to ensure the rider wears a safety helmet supplied either by the company or the renter;

 

     (2)  Exempt riders with a motorcycle license from having to wear a safety helmet while riding a rented moped or motor scooter;

 

     (3)  Prohibit the rental of any moped or motor scooter with aftermarket modifications; and

 

     (4)  Amend the definition of "motor scooter".

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee finds that wearing a helmet when operating a moped or motor scooter can increase the chance of survival in the event of an accident.  According to the Hawaii Injury Prevention Plan for 2012-2017, published by the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch of the Department of Health, helmets can reduce the risk of death by forty-two percent and reduce the risk of a head injury by sixty-nine percent.  This measure will ensure the safety of residents and visitors of the State and reduce the number of traffic related fatalities by requiring certain moped and motor scooter operators to wear helmets.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  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. 615, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 615, S.D. 1, 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,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair