HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2952
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to mopeds.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that although mopeds represent an inexpensive personal transportation alternative to motorcycles or automobiles, some operators modify mopeds in ways that make them unsafe and a public nuisance.  Specifically, some operators disable or modify the speed governors on mopeds, allowing the moped to be operated at speeds in excess of safe and legal limits.  Other operators choose to modify the exhaust system on mopeds to make a moped more powerful and much noisier than design or legal limits, posing a safety threat to the operator and pedestrians as well as increasing noise pollution in residential neighborhoods. 

     The legislature further finds that current state law requires mopeds to affix a small decal to the lower portion of the moped's rear fender, and that the small size of the decal makes it difficult for law enforcement officials to decipher the numerals in order to report a crime committed by a moped operator.

     The legislature also finds that under current law, with regards to many fees and registration, mopeds are treated like bicycles.  However, in terms of safety and specifications, mopeds are more akin to motorcycles, and some users attempt to blur that difference, especially through modifications of power and noise.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to create a task force to explore the feasibility of treating mopeds like motorcycles in certain instances.

     SECTION 2.  There is established a task force on mopeds within the state department of transportation for the purpose of exploring the feasibility of treating mopeds like motorcycles in certain instances.  The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1)  The director of transportation, or his designee, who shall be the chairperson of the committee;

(2)  A representative of each county's respective transportation department or division;

(3)  A member of the moped industry; as selected by industry members;

(4)  The attorney general, or his designee; and

(5)  A representative of each county's police department.

     SECTION 3.  The task force shall compile a feasibility report on treating mopeds like motorcycles in certain instances, including, but not limited to, areas of safety, registration, fees, licensing, operation, and modifications.  The report shall also include proposed legislation, if any, for enactment.  The report shall be delivered to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 Regular Session.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Mopeds

Description:

Convenes a task force to explore the feasibility of treating mopeds like motorcycles in certain instances.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.