STAND. COM. REP. NO. 260-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1539

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1539 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Change the penalties for repeated traffic violations, reckless driving violations, and violations of excessive speeding;

(2) Increase the fines for driving without motor vehicle liability insurance; and

(3) Increase motor vehicle insurance minimums to protect residents from repeat offenders.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Hawaii Association for Justice. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaii Insurers Council; and Turo.

Your Committee finds that required motor vehicle insurance minimum policy limits have not been raised in twenty-five years, since the enactment of Act 275, Session Laws of Hawaii 1998. While your Committee believes this measure will provide greater consumer protection and public safety for drivers and pedestrians, your Committee also recognizes concerns raised about the potential for an increase in the premiums consumers will have to pay.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the motor vehicle insurance minimums to unspecified amounts;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1539, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1539, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair