Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1746, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require notices for tow away zones to be clearly visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching any marked or unmarked parking space, or within any marked or unmarked parking space, where the vehicle is subject to being towed.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The Legislative Information Services of Hawaii (LISH) and one individual submitted comments and another individual submitted concerns.

Your Committee finds that this measure addresses concerns about "tow traps" in which property owners and/or tow operators fail to post conspicuous signs and then tow the vehicles of unwary vehicle owners. This measure requires the posting of notices of tow away zones in such size and at such locations as may be appropriate to address "tow trap" concerns.

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 H.B. No. 1746, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.