STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 867-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.B. No. 1577
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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING FEES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose of this measure is to
authorize towing companies to charge additional amounts for overturned
vehicles.
Your Committee finds
that tow truck operators provide a variety of roadside assistance services to
motorists, including on-demand passenger car towing, commercial vehicle towing,
and roadside vehicle repair. They also
perform essential traffic incident management functions in coordination with
fire, police, and emergency medical services in the aftermath of motor vehicle
crashes by removing disabled vehicles, clearing incident debris, and cleaning
up spilled cargo. Your Committee further
finds that overturned vehicles present unique challenges for tow truck
operators. In these instances,
experience and specialized equipment allow tow truck operators to efficiently
and safely remove the vehicles. This
measure authorizes an additional fee for these challenging tows.
Your Committee notes that the
additional charge allowable to towing companies under this measure is currently
unspecified. Your Committee also notes
that during the public hearing on this measure, a suggestion from a towing
company was for this charge to be $300.
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 H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,
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____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair |
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