STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2319

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2857

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Energy and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2857 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOWING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the law on towing of unattended vehicles on private and public property.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Consumer Protection and City and County of Honolulu Police Department.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Ace Towing Service, Kuni's Enterprises, Waialae Towing, and Solid Towing LLC.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that existing law is in need of clarification with regard to when a "hookup" occurs, what constitutes the "scene" from which a tow is initiated, and who is the "vehicle owner" that is entitled to have the vehicle released from the towing company.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of June 22, 2022, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Energy and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2857, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2857, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Energy and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair