Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 74, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to address Hawaii's current shortage of commercial drivers by allowing drivers who are 18 years-of-age or older to qualify for a commercial drivers' license (CDL) to transport intrastate commerce.

The Hawaii Transportation Association testified in support of this bill. The Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent of the bill but deferred safety concerns to the Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT testified in opposition to this measure.

Hawaii is currently facing a shortage of skilled commercial drivers. With increased economic activity resulting in increased freight volume and increased tourism in Hawaii, the situation is only expected to worsen unless something is done to resolve this problem. Allowing individuals who are 18 years-of-age or older to qualify for a CDL, with certain restrictions, is an attempt to deal with the present, and expected increase in, the need for professional drivers.

Your Committee understands the safety concerns raised by DOT regarding the age of CDL drivers and the maturity level needed to operate a commercial vehicle, especially larger trailer-type vehicles. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

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 S.B. No. 74, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 74, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.