STAND. COM. REP. NO. 905

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 755

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 755, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require lessors of rental motor vehicles to include, in the rental agreement, an option for the lessee of the vehicle to contribute money to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be utilized for the preservation of the environment.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Avis Budget Group and Enterprise Holdings.

Your Committees find that the protection of natural resources is critical to the future of the State's tourism industry, and many visitors choose to vacation in the State to experience its unique natural resources. However, due to the effects of climate change, Hawaii's natural resources are at risk. Recognizing their own impacts on the environment, certain individuals may be more willing to pay fees to contribute to conservation initiatives if they know their contributions will be used directly to manage natural resources. Your Committees note that other states have successfully utilized voluntary contributions to raise monies for the protection of their natural resources, and that a similar program in Hawaii would raise funds for the State's environmental management efforts.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 755, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair