STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1321

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 812

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 812, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYCLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Include low-speed electric bicycles in the definition of bicycle;

(2) Prohibit anyone under the age of eighteen from operating a low-speed electric bicycle; and

(3) Require low-speed electric bicycles to be registered and pay a $30 registration fee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, County of Kaua‘i Planning Department; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that there is no existing law that regulates low-speed electric bicycles. Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly popular as an environmentally friendly alternative means of transportation in the State. Including low-speed electric bicycles in the definition of a "bicycle" will allow the State to better regulate this popular means of transportation and bring the State into conformance with the federal definition of a bicycle.

Your Committee further finds that although there is no existing law that enforces a minimum age requirement to ride a bicycle, the maximum speed of a low-speed electric bicycle can be potentially dangerous for the younger population. According to testimony submitted by the Department of Transportation, an age limit should be established when operating a low-speed electric vehicle for safety purposes. Your Committee notes that currently, an individual is allowed to drive a car with a permit at the age of 15.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Reducing the age prohibition to operate a low-speed electric scooter from eighteen years to fifteen years;

(2) Deleting the requirement to register a low-speed electric bicycle and pay a $30 registration fee; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 812, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 812, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair