STAND. COM. REP. NO. 388

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 665

       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 S.B. No. 665 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC FOOT SCOOTERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to define electric foot scooter and clarify that laws relating to bicycles in general also apply to electric foot scooters.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Lime, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the types of motorized vehicles that are being introduced in the market are very forward thinking and constantly being changed based on technology and ease of widespread adoption.  Your Committee further finds that electric foot scooters are gaining popularity in the State, due to their convenience and positive impact on the environment.  Your Committee believes that as new electric motorized vehicles, such as electric foot scooters, are introduced into the State, there should exist fair and just regulation of the vehicles to ensure the safety and viability for all.

 

     Your Committee notes the concern of the Department of Transportation in regard to the potential negative impact on the safety for scooter riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by requiring an operator of an electric foot scooter to be at least fourteen years of age.

 

     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 S.B. No. 665, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 665, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair