STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1600-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2350

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2350, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE POLLUTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish:

(1) A separate prohibition on driving motor vehicles with noisy mufflers on public highways in high density population areas;

(2) Tiered fines for violations of motor scooter muffler laws; and

(3) Tiered fines for violations of motor vehicle muffler laws.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Honolulu Police Department; Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9; Windward Coalition; Livable Honolulu; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that chronic noise pollution causes a wide variety of adverse health effects, including hearing damage, sleep disturbance, stress, anxiety, depression, impaired cognitive function, and increased cardiovascular effects. Your Committee further finds that excessive noise from modified mufflers on motor vehicles significantly contributes to noise pollution in the State. This measure promotes a healthier environment by increasing the penalties for noisy mufflers, which may deter would-be violators from installing aftermarket or altered equipment that creates excessive noise.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2350, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2350, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair