STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2457

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2350

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 2350 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance the existing noisy exhaust pipe and muffler laws.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Mopeds Direct, and three individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Moped Doctors Inc. and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that that many residents throughout the State, especially those in high-density areas, have complained about growing noise pollution and disturbances from low restriction mufflers on motor vehicles, predominantly motorcycles. Your Committee further finds that while existing law prohibits vehicle owners from installing mufflers that increase the noise of their vehicle, the penalties are minimal and do little to deter violations. This measure will create distinct regulations, fines, and penalties for violating motor vehicle muffler restrictions in high-density areas.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Limiting the scope of motor vehicle muffler violations to counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand;

(2) Repealing language that would have assessed a fine of not more than $100 for each violation of motor scooter exhaust pipe and muffler regulations and inserting a tiered fine system;

(3) Repealing language that would have assessed a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $250 for each separate offense of motor vehicle muffler regulations and inserting a tiered fine system;

(4) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2350, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2350, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair