Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2118 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt low emission and energy-efficient vehicles from payment of parking fees charged by a government authority other than the federal government.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Transportation submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committees find that it is time to take a more comprehensive and integrated approach to reducing our dependence on motor transportation fuels. Multiple policy pathways can assist the State to achieve the goal of energy self-sufficiency. The placement of a special decal or placard on low emission and energy-efficient vehicles will not only enable operators to park for free under this measure, but will also serve as an effective tool to influence consumer behavior.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2118 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.