STAND. COM. REP. NO. 373

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1422

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1422 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt non-profit community-based organizations that provide transportation services from the State's motor carrier regulations, under certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauaʻi; The Hanalei Initiative; Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaii Transportation Association.

Your Committee finds that traffic congestion near Hawaii's popular natural and cultural sites is exacerbated by limited parking along state highways and county roads. Community-based non-profit organizations that provide transportation services have proven effective in alleviating this congestion, but their operations are hindered by existing regulations that do not account for their unique role. This measure will allow community-based non-profit organizations to continue providing essential transportation services that reduce traffic and support the preservation of natural and cultural resources by exempting them from certain motor carrier regulatory requirements.

Your Committee notes the concerns stated in testimony by the Public Utilities Commission requesting clarification as to the definition a "non-profit community-based organization" as it would be difficult for the Commission to determine or qualify what is community-based. Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, should it deliberate on this measure, to work with the Public Utilities Commission in establishing an appropriate definition of a non-profit community based organization.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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. 1422, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1422, 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,

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair