STAND. COM. REP. NO. 382

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 161

H.D. 2

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 H.B. No. 161, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Director of Finance of a county to require an individual to pay any outstanding charges owed to the county for the towing, removal, or disposal of an abandoned or derelict vehicle before a motor vehicle certificate of registration is issued to the individual unless the abandoned vehicle was stolen.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Finance of the County of Kauai, Kauai Police Department, Hawaii State Association of Counties, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Enterprise Holdings.

Your Committee finds that abandoned and derelict vehicles in communities across the State are public eyesores and health and safety hazards. This public nuisance stems from the ease of abandoning vehicles, as well as towing fees and other costs involved in disposing of a vehicle, among other factors. Your Committee finds that the counties are not only inundated with complaints about abandoned and derelict vehicles, but the county police departments find it difficult to enforce the law, including the collection of outstanding towing and related costs. This measure aims to deter and curtail individuals from abandoning their vehicles by imposing the responsibility for the outstanding charges incurred from abandoned and derelict vehicles on those vehicle owners who contribute to the problem.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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. 161, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 161, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair