STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1484-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 181

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 Transportation, to which was referred H.R. No. 181 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING GROUND-EFFECT VEHICLES AND OTHER INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to convene a working group to examine the impact of sustainable transportation solutions in the State, including ground-effect vehicles and other innovative technologies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, REGENT Craft Inc., Hawaii Think Tank, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and Surfrider Foundation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that new developments and technological advancements in transportation may help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and address many issues facing the State, including alleviating road congestion, increasing transportation convenience for residents, and providing underserved communities with greater access to affordable transportation. Additionally, the development and utilization of sustainable transportation solutions, such as ground-effect vehicles, may have significant impacts on the State. Therefore, examining these emerging technologies is worth investigating given the potential these innovative transportation solutions may provide the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the composition of the working group by:

(A) Adding the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, or the Chief Energy Officer's designee; and

(B) Removing the Chairpersons of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees on Transportation; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 181, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 181, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair