STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2327

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2915

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Energy and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2915 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to protect Hawaii consumers from persons who knowingly manufacture, import, sell, or install counterfeit airbag products by prohibiting the manufacturing, importing, selling, or installing of counterfeit airbags.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, Inc.; and two individuals.

Your Committees find that a motor vehicle's supplemental restraint system is a sophisticated network of airbags and sensors that enhance passenger safety. Counterfeit airbags are a serious public safety concern, as they can result in severe injuries or death. Your Committees conclude that anyone who installs a counterfeit airbag in a motor vehicle places the occupants at risk for severe injury or death, and criminal sanctions should be established to deter anyone from selling or installing counterfeit airbags.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Including language on the recommendation of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to make each violation cumulative; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of 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. 2915, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2915, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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