Report Title:

Vehicle Efficiency; Tire Pressure Gauges; Tire Inflation Devices

 

Description:

Requires retail service stations to provide tire pressure gauges and operational tire inflation devices to enable motorists to maintain properly inflated tires, thereby increasing the fuel efficiency of existing vehicles.  Provides a penalty for violations.  (HB1467 HD1)

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1467

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PROPERLY INFLATED TIRES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that decreasing the use of fossil fuel in Hawaii is of critical importance to the long-term sustainability of the State's environmental and economic health.  While efforts to speed the introduction of alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles are needed, some simple steps can be taken to increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles on Hawaii's roadways today.  Some studies suggest that simply maintaining the manufacturer's recommended tire inflation pressure for a vehicle's tires can increase that vehicle's fuel efficiency by upwards of five per cent.  If all of the more than 1.2 million registered vehicles in Hawaii were to maintain proper tire inflation pressure, the State could decrease fossil fuel consumption by potentially hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil.

     The legislature further finds that while many retail gas service stations provide tire inflation pumps or devices as a courtesy to customers, some do not.  Further, many of the tire inflation devices that are available are either broken, require money to operate, or lack working tire gauges making it difficult for the user to determine whether a tire is properly inflated.  These situations deter vehicle operators from properly maintaining the recommended tire inflation pressures for their tires.

     The purpose of this Act is to spur an increase in fuel efficiency of Hawaii's motor vehicles by requiring retail service stations to provide tire pressure gauges and operational tire inflation devices to enable motorists to maintain properly inflated tires.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 486H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§486H‑     Tire inflation devices and tire pressure gauges.  (a)  After January 1, 2010, every retail service station in the state shall provide accurate tire pressure gauges and operational tire inflation devices during hours that the retail service station conducts business.  Tire pressure gauges required by this section shall be capable of accurately measuring up to at least forty-five pounds of pressure per square inch.  Tire inflation devices shall be capable of inflating tires to up to at least forty-five pounds of pressure per square inch.  As used in this subsection, "retail service station" shall be the same as defined in section 486H-1.

     (b)  Any person who violates this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of $100 for each day a violation continues."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.