STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1109

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 281

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 281 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance safety on sidewalks by authorizing the counties to regulate the use of electric personal assistive mobility devices on sidewalks.

     The Waikiki Improvement Association and Segway, Inc., testified in support of this bill.

     Various areas of our state have sidewalks that are narrow and heavily used by residents and visitors alike.  Allowing electric personal assistive mobility devices to be operated on sidewalks under these conditions is a safety issue for pedestrians as well as the operators of these devices.  While the operation of certain types of vehicles on sidewalks is already regulated in business districts, there may be other areas that need similar regulations.  This measure allows the counties to make that determination and regulate the use of these vehicles on sidewalks as they deem necessary.

     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. 281 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