STAND. COM. REP. NO. 648-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2556

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2556, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the county directors of finance to withhold the issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration until the county is reimbursed for all costs relating to the disposition of an abandoned vehicle;

(2) Make it a misdemeanor, with a $250 to $500 fine, if a person abandons any vehicle on any public or private roadway or any property without the consent of the owner or lessee;

(3) Require the court to report the misdemeanor conviction to the county director of finance, who may proceed to prohibit the person from operating a vehicle; and

(4) Authorize the county to assess and collect fees, fines, and penalties for actions relating to the disposition of abandoned and derelict vehicles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, a member of the Maui County Council, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Management of the County of Maui, and Enterprise Holdings.

Your Committee finds that abandoned vehicles on public roads are a widespread and increasingly common environmental concern that adversely affects human health and safety. This measure seeks to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles in the State by imposing restrictions and fines on owners of abandoned cars.

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. 2556, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair