STAND. COM. REP. NO.  293

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 459

      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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 459 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE DISQUALIFICATION FOR SEVERE FORMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to bring the State in substantial compliance with federal regulations by requiring the examiner of drivers to disqualify, for life, any person from driving a commercial motor vehicle if the person uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any felony involving an act or practice of severe forms of trafficking in persons.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation.

 

     Your Committee finds that on July 23, 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a final rule that amends title 49 Code of Federal Regulations parts 383 and 384 to permanently disqualify individuals convicted of the felony severe form of trafficking in persons from driving a commercial motor vehicle (Final Rule).  The Final Rule also requires states to be in substantial compliance with the Final Rule within three years from the date the Final Rule became effective, which was September 23, 2019.

     Your Committee further finds that for purposes of determining substantial compliance with the Final Rule, a state shall disqualify an individual from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the same reasons and time periods for which the Secretary of Transportation disqualifies the individual for certain acts.  If a state fails to be in substantial compliance with the Final Rule within three years, the federal government is authorized to withhold certain federal funding.  In the first year a state fails to be in substantial compliance, four percent of certain federal funds are withheld; for Hawaii, this would be equivalent to $6,185,220.  In subsequent years a state fails to be in substantial compliance, eight percent of certain federal funds are withheld; for Hawaii, this would be equivalent to $12,370,440.  This measure brings Hawaii into substantial conformance with the federal law.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to January 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 459, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 459, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair