STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1167

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1637
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education and Technology, to which was
referred H.B. No. 1637, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL BUSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to allow tour buses to be
used to transport student groups to and from school-related
activities.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the
Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Trans Hawaiian Services,
Polynesian Adventure Tours, and the Hawaii Transportation
Association.  The Hawaii State Teachers Association and
Destination Management Concepts submitted testimony in support of
the intent of this measure.  Testimony in opposition to this
measure was submitted by the Department of Education, the
Department of Transportation, the Department of Accounting and
General Services, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools,
Gomes School Bus Service, Akita Enterprises, Limited, and many
concerned individuals and parents.

     Because the safety of the tour buses was the primary concern
of those opposed to this measure, your Committee believes that
tour buses should be allowed to transport student groups to and
from school related events and activities only if they meet the
minimum safety standards required by municipal buses of the city
and county of Honolulu.  This is in keeping with the Department

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1167
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of Education's policy that students within Honolulu's urban core
are encouraged to use public transportation.  Furthermore, your
Committee notes that individuals driving a tour bus must meet
school driver qualifications.  

     Your Committee has amended this measure to require that tour
buses meet the minimum safety standards of the municipal buses of
the city and county of Honolulu.  

     Your Committee has further amended this measure to allow
tour buses to transport all students, including athletes and non-
high school students.  It is not the intent of your Committee to
allow this provision to supersede any contracts already in place
for the daily transportation of students by school buses.  

     Your Committee has some concerns about any increase in
liability to the State due to the enactment of this measure.
Your Committee encourages further discussion on this matter in
the Committee on Ways and Means, including the consideration of
requiring parents to sign a waiver prior to student use of a tour
bus.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Education and Technology that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 1637, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that
it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B.
No. 1637, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Education and
                                   Technology,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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