STAND. COM. REP. NO.  597

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 931

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. 931 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOPEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to promote the use of specially-designed three-wheeled mopeds by exempting three-wheeled mopeds designed to carry a driver and passenger seated side-by-side from certain prohibitions on the operation of mopeds.

     Shamrock Importers, LLC, supported this bill.  The Department of Transportation opposed this measure.  The City and County of Honolulu submitted comments.

     Your Committee notes that the three-wheeled mopeds described in this bill may provide a safer alternative to two-wheeled mopeds for residents and visitors who desire the low cost, convenience, and high gas mileage of mopeds, but who are nervous or unsure of driving a two-wheeled moped.  However, your Committee also recognizes concerns raised regarding the safety of incorporating the three-wheeled moped in actual traffic conditions with much larger automobiles and trucks.  Your Committee supports future legislative efforts to address these issues.

     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. 931 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair