STAND. COM. REP. NO. 138

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 497

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 497 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Prohibit commercial vehicles weighing ten thousand pounds or more from driving in the left lane on all roadways with two lanes unless the commercial vehicle is able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow and is in the process of passing another vehicle; and

 

     (2)  Prohibit commercial vehicles weighing ten thousand pounds or more from driving in the left lane on all roadways with three or more lanes.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support to this measure from the Department of Transportation and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Transportation Association.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

 

     Your Committee finds that traffic mitigation is of utmost importance to protecting all road users across the State.  The majority of roadways across the State were built prior to current complete street or modern design and access management criteria.  Large commercial vehicles occupying the left lane or making last minute lane changes may disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to accidents or injuries of those involved.  By reducing the frequency of commercial vehicles occupying the left lane or making last minute lane changes, Hawaii's roadways can become safer for all users.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Providing that the prohibition does not apply to commercial vehicles occupying the left lane to turn left or exit, or preparing to turn left or exit;

 

     (2)  Exempting buses and van pools operated by the counties from the prohibition; and

 

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     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. 497, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 497, 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,

 

 

 

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair