STAND. COM. REP. NO. 479-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1412

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1412, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the counties to provide a minimum distance a vehicle must be moved within a specified timeframe after a vehicle is initially inspected for abandonment to avoid an official classification of abandonment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Council of Mayors; one member of the Maui County Council; one member of the Kaua‘i County Council; one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; County of Maui Department of Environmental Management; City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services, Motor Vehicles, Licensing and Permitting Division; Department of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management; Nanawale Community Association Board of Directors; and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that abandoned vehicles on public streets create widespread environmental issues and unsafe and unhealthy conditions for residents of the State. Abandoned vehicles also pose as a financial burden to the State and counties as they relate to disposal costs and outstanding fines. Your Committee further finds that under existing law, a vehicle is "abandoned" if is left unattended for a continuous period of more than twenty-four hours and it is unlawfully parked on certain lands. However, there is ambiguity as to whether a vehicle may no longer be deemed abandoned if the vehicle is moved a short distance. This measure will clarify this ambiguity by requiring the any county ordinance that defines when a vehicle is "abandoned" to include a minimum distance and timeframe for a vehicle to no longer be classified as abandoned.

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 H.B. No. 1412, 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair