STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1427

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1237

      S.D. 1

      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. 1237, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to control excessive vehicular noises by providing drivers an option to turn off audible reverse warning systems between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if:

(1)  The vehicle is:

(A)  Equipped with a rearview camera system that provides the driver with a clear view of the vehicle's rearward path that operates whenever the vehicle is reversing;

(B)  Equipped with flashing lights in the rear of the vehicle which are activated by, and continue to operate whenever a vehicle is reversing; or

(C)  The vehicle is guided by a person, other than the driver of the vehicle, who is behind the vehicle and has a clear view of both vehicle's rearward path and the vehicle's driver;

and

(2)  The switch permitting the audible reverse warning system to be manually disengaged automatically turns itself off after a fixed period of time and automatically re-engages the audible reverse warning system.

     Citizens Against Noise testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Transportation supported the intent of this measure.  The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) opposed this bill.  The Hawaii Transportation Association (HTA) submitted comments and concerns on this measure.

Noise pollution has become a big problem in Hawaii, especially in the late evening and early morning hours, particularly in densely populated areas such as Waikiki.  Many of the sources of this noise can be attributed to motor vehicles, in particular warning devices that are used when a vehicle is reversing.  While your Committee recognizes the safety concerns raised by HTA and HPD, allowing reverse audible warning devices to be disengaged under certain conditions and restrictions may reduce noise without compromising safety and this issue deserves further consideration.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by changing its effective date to July 1, 2012, to encourage further discussion.

     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. 1237, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1237, S.D. 1, 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