Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 456 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(2) Increase towing fees;

The Hawaii State Towing Association testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Insurers Council testified in support of the intent of this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs commented on this measure.

Currently, tow rates for nonconsensual tows are set forth by statute. Tows to assist motorists in distress, tows of stalled vehicles, recovery tows, and other consensual tows are not regulated and are considered negotiations between the consumer and the tow operator.

Your Committee recognizes the concerns raised by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Hawaii Insurers Council regarding the length of time it takes to complete a vehicle hookup that is solely within the control of the tow operator and the effect this may have on the consumer. However, your Committee feels that this measure warrants further discussion.

Your Committee would like licensing and regulation requirements placed on the towing industry, possibly placed within the purview of the Public Utilities Commission. As this is not within the scope of the Committee on Transportation, your Committee respectfully requests that the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce review this measure and determine the validity of this recommendation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 456 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.