STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1786
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: S.B. No. 497
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 497, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Prohibit certain commercial vehicles weighing ten thousand pounds or more from driving in the left lane on all roadways with:
(A) Two lanes unless the commercial vehicle is able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow and is in the process of overtaking and passing another vehicle; and
(B) Three or more lanes;
(2) Provide exceptions for commercial vehicles turning left or exiting, or preparing to turn left or exit; and
(3) Exempt buses and van pools operated by the counties.
Your Committee finds that this measure has the potential to improve traffic flow and increase highway safety by limiting lane flexibility for certain large commercial passenger vehicles and providing exceptions where warranted.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Deleting language that would have prohibited certain commercial vehicles weighing ten thousand pounds or more from driving in the left lane on all roadways with two lanes unless the commercial vehicle is able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow and is in the process of overtaking and passing another vehicle;
(2) Clarifying that certain commercial vehicles weighing ten thousand pounds or more are prohibited from driving in the far left lane on roadways with three or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction;
(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 497, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 497, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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