STAND. COM. REP. NO.  264

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 18

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 18 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the health and safety of young people by prohibiting those under the age of 18 from operating, riding, or being propelled on an ATV.

     The Maui Police Department and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  A concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America opposed this bill.

     ATVs have been and continue to be used across Hawaii.  These vehicles, like any other motorized vehicle, have the potential to cause injury.  This risk is even more pronounced when riders are under the age of 18.

     While your Committee understands that ATVs are relatively safe and that a majority of those riding ATVs are safety conscious and wear all the proper safety gear, the potential risk of injury to Hawaii's youth is real.  Therefore, it is important that steps be taken to prevent the exorbitant amount of health care costs associated with ATV-related injuries and the immeasurable toll and grief experienced by family members and loved ones of individuals who suffer these injuries.  For this reason, this measure deserves further consideration.

     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. 18 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