STAND. COM. REP. NO.  237

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 158

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 158 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to simplify the inspection and certification of motor carrier vehicles by requiring that inspections and certifications take place annually.

     The Department of Transportation, Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Transportation Association, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Matson Navigation Company, and Horizon Lines testified in support of this bill.

     Currently, all commercial motor vehicles have their annual safety inspections conducted during the month in which the vehicle's certificate of motor vehicle registration is issued.  Since many of the chassis used by shipping companies are used nationwide and are often on the mainland or in the possession of a customer during the month the vehicle's registration is due, obtaining safety inspections of these vehicles becomes difficult.  Providing for annual safety inspections on these vehicles gives shipping companies flexibility while maintaining safety standards.

     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. 158 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair