STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1041

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 725

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 725, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to implement weight verification requirements for large vehicles that transport heavy loads of maritime cargo as a means to extend the life of roadways.  This measure:

     (1)  Requires the Department of Transportation (Department) to establish a weigh in motion and axle scale system at all harbor facilities that allows the egress and ingress of commercial vehicles carrying a cargo load of 55,000 pounds or more;

     (2)  Requires all maritime cargo carriers engaged in interstate transportation to submit to the Department a detailed list of cargo shipping containers subject to highway weight restrictions; and

     (3)  Appropriates funds to the Department to purchase and install weigh in motion and axle scale systems and hire personnel to operate the systems.

The Department of Transportation, Hawaii Transportation Association, Matson, and two individuals testified in support of the measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing, to an unspecified number, the gross weight of the shipping container or cargo load that is subject to the weigh in motion and axle scale system and reporting requirements; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee notes the testimony of Matson that proposes to double the current statutory penalties for overloading of cargo loads.  Matson suggests that increased penalties will deter the purposeful overloading of cargo loads and can produce revenue to offset the costs of the weigh in motion and axle scale system.

     Your Committee further notes that this measure appropriates funds and requests that the Committee on Finance consider this measure if given the opportunity through the conference process.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 725, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 725, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO, Chair