STAND. COM. REP. NO. 713

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 54

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 54, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GASOLINE-POWERED LEAF BLOWERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the operation of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in any urban land use district;

(2) Increase the fine for offenses of leaf blower restrictions and provide for the forfeiture of gasoline-powered leaf blowers upon a third violation; and

(3) Remove the exemption on leaf blower restrictions for government agencies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that gasoline-powered leaf blowers are a public nuisance. The obnoxious noise created by gasoline-powered leaf blowers annoys, awakens, and frustrates people, detracting from the general quality of life of those nearby. Further, operating at approximately ninety decibels, gasoline-powered leaf blowers can cause hearing loss after just two hours of exposure, which is an especially serious issue for landscape workers. Additionally, gasoline-powered leaf blowers contribute to carbon emissions. Your Committee finds that while perhaps efficient in its purpose, quieter and equally viable alternatives to gasoline-powered leaf blowers are available. Therefore, this measure prohibits the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in any urban land use district.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 54, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair