STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1361

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1047

      H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 1047 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to address the current shortage of commercial drivers within the state 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 Transportation (DOT) and Honolulu Police Department (HPD) testified in opposition to this measure.

     Hawaii, like the rest of the nation, faces a shortage of commercial drivers.  With increased economic activity resulting in increased freight volume and increased tourism in Hawaii, the situation is expected to worsen.  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 need for professional drivers.

     However, your Committee understands the safety concerns raised by DOT and HPD regarding the age of CDL drivers and the maturity level needed to operate a commercial vehicle, especially larger trailer-type vehicles, and recognizes that current federal regulations require CDL drivers to be at least 21 years of age.  While this idea deserves further discussion and consideration, your Committee believes that the age limit to obtain a CDL under this measure should be raised.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing the definition of "intrastate driver" to limit it to drivers who are no younger than 19 years; and

(2)  Raising the age limit for obtaining a CDL, with certain restrictions, from 18 years of age to 19 years of age;

Your Committee has further amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2012, to facilitate further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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 S.B. No. 1047, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1047, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair