STAND. COM. REP. NO. 466

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 1728
                                     H.D. 2




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to
which was referred H.B. No. 1728, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REVERSE WARNING
     SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to lessen noise pollution by:

     (1)  Allowing audible reverse warning (ARW) systems in
          vehicles to be turned off manually for noise control
          purposes;

     (2)  Requiring bright flashing lights to be installed in the
          rear of vehicles for use whenever a vehicle is moving
          in reverse, regardless of whether the ARW system is
          turned on or off; and

     (3)  Permitting, effective January 1, 2000, all vehicles to
          be equipped with ARW systems that can be turned off
          manually.

     Testimony in support of the bill was received from the Ala
Moana Residents Advisory Council, the Waikiki Residents
Association, and a number of individuals concerned about noise in
Waikiki.  Testimony in opposition to the bill was received from
the Hawaii Transportation Association.


 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 466
                                 Page 2

 
     Your Committee finds that there has been a dramatic increase
in noise pollution in the more developed areas of Hawaii, and
that large trucks, which emit loud, beeping sounds when they are
in reverse, are a primary contributor of this noise.  Your
Committee further finds that when vehicles equipped with ARW
systems are operating at night or early in the morning near
homes, hotels, or hospitals, ARW systems can be extremely
irritating and disrupt peoples' sleep. 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by providing that,
effective January 1, 2000, all vehicles with ARW systems may be
equipped with the ability to turn off such systems manually
between the hours of 12 midnight and 5:30 a.m.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached
to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 1728, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and
Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1728,
H.D. 2.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Energy and
                                   Environmental Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair