STAND. COM. REP. NO.  899-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2954

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2954 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATED TO TOWING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist towing companies while providing consumers with increased towing services by:

     (1)  Reinstating the authority of towing companies to charge overtime fees during certain hours of operation; and

     (2)  Adding a new provision disallowing the overtime fee for towing companies in counties with a population greater than 500,000 if the company does not:

          (A)  Offer towing services to consumers 24 hours per day every day of the week; and

          (B)  File their hours of operation with the police department in that county.

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and State Farm Insurance Companies opposed this bill. The Hawaii State Towing Association and a concerned individual commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2954 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair