RELATING TO THE USE OF SAFETY HELMETS BY MINORS.

Mandates safety helmet use for moped operators and bicycle riders under the age of 18 years.

RELATING TO CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY.

Strengthens child safety seat law by requiring child safety seat or booster seat usage for children over four years, but less than eight years old; defines "restrained".

RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

Provides exemption for passengers in taxicabs from mandatory seat belt requirement.

RELATING TO TORT LIABILITY.

Provides immunity from civil liability for trained installers and inspectors of automotive child passenger restraint devices.

RELATING TO DRIVER LICENSING.

Establishes a 3-stage graduated driver licensing program for persons under the age of 18. Requires them to be accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian when driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with limited exceptions. Requires temporary instruction permit holders to be accompanied by a person who is at least 21, rather than 18, when driving.

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Requires new vehicles to be inspected on or before their initial sale and annually 2 years later.

RELATING TO SPEEDING.

Creates new offense of excessive speeding.

RELATING TO SAFETY.

Bans display screens visible to driver; exceptions for safe operations of vehicle

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Prohibits persons 18 years of age or younger from riding in the bed or load carrying area of a truck.

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE RENTALS.

Allows a lessor of rental vehicles the option of registering a new motor vehicle for two years instead of one, and if the vehicle is transferred by the lessor within two years, to take a credit against future registrations.

RELATING TO TRAFFIC OFFENSES.

Repeals the penalties provided in section 291C-13, HRS, for violation of that section because penalties are already provided under section 291C-161, HRS.

RELATING TO TRAFFIC OFFENSES REQUIRING IMPOSITION OF INCREASED PENALTIES FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES.

Limits the period of time for which a prior conviction may be considered for purposes of enhancing penalties for subsequent offenses as follows: 3 years as to offenses under section 291-11.5, HRS (child restraints); 1 year as to section 291-32, HRS, (involving violations relating to motor vehicle lights); and 5 years as to section 291-24.6, HRS (motor vehicle alarms).

RELATING TO PUBLIC AGENCY MEETINGS.

Requires boards that hold executive meeting to allow a legislator of the relevant subject matter committee to attend the meeting.

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN.

Authorizes the ombudsman or an authorized representative to obtain state tax returns and return information in connection with the official duties of the office of the ombudsman.

RELATING TO THE OMBUDSMAN.

Expands jurisdiction of ombudsman to include private agencies providing health services and human services under contract to a governmental agency. Changes first assistant to deputy ombudsman.