Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 164, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require persons under sixteen years of age to wear helmets when operating scooters or skateboards, prohibit clinging to vehicles while riding on scooters or skateboards, and allow counties to regulate persons riding scooters and skateboards on streets and highways under their jurisdiction.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Transportation, the Honolulu Police Department, and the Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee finds that emergency room-treated injuries related to lightweight scooters have increased 700 per cent nationwide since May. The use of safety helmets for anyone riding a scooter or skateboard is essential for the prevention of traumatic head, brain injuries, and other disabilities or even death that may occur as a result of an accident.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 164, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.