STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1468

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 615

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 615, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENTALS OF MOPEDS AND MOTOR SCOOTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the definition of "motor scooter" under the Hawaii Highway Safety Act and the Statewide Traffic Code;

(2) Require all moped and motor scooter rental companies to ensure the rider wears a safety helmet supplied either by the company or the renter, except for riders with a motorcycle license; and

(3) Prohibit the rental of any moped or motor scooter with aftermarket modifications.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, AAA Hawai‘i, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that wearing a helmet while operating a moped, powered scooter, or other motorized cycle decreases fatalities and serious injuries. According to the Hawaii Injury Prevention Plan for 2012‑2017, published by the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch of the Department of Health, properly worn helmets prevent deaths and brain injuries, with helmets reducing the risk of death by forty-two percent and the risk of a head injury by sixty-nine percent. This measure will require certain moped and motor scooter operators to wear helmets, thereby ensuring the safety of residents and visitors of Hawaii and reducing the number of traffic related fatalities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 615, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair