Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.R. No. 62
H.D. 2
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Fourth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2008
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.R. No. 62, H.D. 1, entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ONLY PURCHASE OR LEASE LARGE SCHOOL BUSES THAT HAVE AN OPERABLE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AT ALL DESIGNATED SEATING POSITIONS AND SEAT BACKS THAT ARE AT LEAST TWENTY‑FOUR INCHES IN HEIGHT,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this resolution is to urge the Board of Education to only purchase or lease large school buses that have an operable seat belt assembly at all designated seating positions and have seat backs that are at least twenty-four inches in height in order to augment the safety of school buses in the State.
Numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this resolution. The Department of Education offered comments on this resolution.
Your Committee has amended this resolution by:
(1) Changing its title to "HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO STUDY SCHOOL BUS SEAT BELT POLICIES AND COMPILE DATA RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS SAFETY AND TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS."
(2) Deleting the recommendation that the Board of Education only purchase or lease large school buses that have an operable seat belt assembly at all designated seating positions and have seat backs that are at least twenty-four inches in height.
(3) Deleting the recommendation that the Board of Education adopt rules requiring the use of these seat belt assemblies and take disciplinary against students in violation.
(4) Adding the recommendation that the Board of Education compile and analyze data on all school bus accidents in the State in the past five years taking into account injuries sustained and costs to DOE.
(5) Adding the recommendation that the Board of Education review and analyze DOE's current policy toward seat belt use on school buses.
(6) Adding the recommendation that the DOE submit a report to the Legislature regarding issues related to seat belt use prior to the regular session of 2009.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 62, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 62, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair |
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