CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 19

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 497

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 497, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit certain oversized commercial vehicles from driving in the far left lane on roadways with three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, subject to certain exceptions.

Your Committee on Conference finds that solutions to traffic congestion across the State will allow all roadway users to commute to and from their destinations in a safe manner. By improving traffic flow on state roadways, including the left lane on roadways, there is a reduced likelihood of motor vehicle collisions that cause serious injuries or death. This measure limits the usage of left lanes by large commercial vehicles to address traffic flow and safety concerns.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to allow a commercial vehicle to be driven in the far left lane if:

(A) The commercial vehicle is able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow; and

(B) The commercial vehicle is in the process of overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2024; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 497, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 497, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Chair	____________________________ CHRIS LEE Chair
	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair