STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1028

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1216

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1216, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Condition the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with a noisy muffler or exhaust system;

(2) Require rules regarding safety check inspections to ensure that a motorcycle, moped, or motor vehicle is not equipped with a noisy muffler or exhaust system;

(3) Suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of a permit for an official inspection station upon a third or subsequent wilful violation of any rule regarding inspecting a noisy muffler or exhaust system;

(4) Increase the maximum fine for motorcycle and moped owners that violate noisy muffler laws; and

(5) Include repairing or installing a noisy muffler or exhaust system as prohibited practice for motor vehicle repair laws.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and fourteen individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Motorcycle Industry Council and one individual.

Your Committee finds that there have been complaints from residents regarding noisy aftermarket mufflers or exhaust systems. This measure promotes the adherence of proper vehicle and moped general safety standards by imposing harsher penalties and increasing enforcement efforts with respect to existing muffler laws.

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. 1216, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair