STAND. COM. REP. NO. 165

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 468

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. 468 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Civil Rights Commission to receive and investigate complaints related to acts of discrimination committed by transportation network company drivers against riders with service animals and report the results of its investigation to the Department of Transportation, which shall issue penalties to transportation network companies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Uber. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Lyft.

Your Committee finds that despite existing regulations, there have been numerous reports of transportation network company drivers refusing service to passengers accompanied by service animals. This discriminatory practice undermines the rights of individuals with disabilities and hinders their ability to access transportation services. This measure ensures that individuals with disabilities are not unfairly denied access to transportation services, thereby upholding their rights and promoting equal access for all.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Civil Rights Commission to complete their investigation and respond to the complaint within an unspecified number of days after receiving a complaint;

(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. 468, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 468, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair