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 H.B. No. 1173 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to reduce excessive noise produced by loud motor vehicle exhaust systems by providing for increases in fines for a second, third, or subsequent violation of the motor vehicle muffler noise law.

Several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.

Loud motor vehicle mufflers are a serious problem affecting many neighborhoods throughout the state, especially densely populated areas such as Salt Lake and Waikiki on the island of Oahu. Not only do these devices emit their own sound but their rumble often triggers car alarms by the vibrations they create. This is especially pronounced in the late evening and early morning hours.

Although your Committee understands that overly excessive noise emitted from motor vehicles is a nuisance and affects the quality of life for many residents, your Committee finds that fines of $375 and $500 are excessive. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by reducing the fines for violating the motor vehicle muffler noise law:

(1) From $375 to $100 for a second violation; and

(2) From $500 to $200 for a third or subsequent violation.

Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 1173, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1173, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.