STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1029

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 161

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 161, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the counties to require payment of outstanding charges or fees owed to the county for the towing, removal, or disposal of an abandoned or derelict vehicle.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kauai County Department of Finance, Maui County Department of Environmental Management, Office of the Mayor of Maui County, Kauai Police Department Patrol Services Bureau, Hawaii State Association of Counties, one member of the Maui County Council, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Enterprise Holdings.

Your Committee finds that the counties expend a great deal of resources to tow and dispose of abandoned or derelict vehicles. Existing law only allows for the counties to charge the towing fee for these vehicles to the registered owners, and only when the vehicles are claimed. Frequently, these abandoned or derelict vehicles are not claimed, leaving the counties with no recourse to recoup their costs for the towing and disposal of the vehicles. This measure will provide counties the ability to recoup costs for towing and disposing of abandoned and derelict vehicles.

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 H.B. No. 161, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

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CHRIS LEE, Chair