HCR45 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	45
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER MOTOR CARRIERS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING WATER CARRIERS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

WHEREAS, the regulation and enforcement of motor carriers operating on public highways is essential to ensuring public safety, fair industry practices, and compliance with state laws; and

WHEREAS, under Hawaii's Motor Carrier Law, the Public Utilities Commission regulates motor carriers transporting passengers and property for compensation or hire; and

WHEREAS, at the end of fiscal year 2023, the Public Utilities Commission regulated approximately 1,741 motor carrier entities across the State, which entails oversight of tariff structures, annual financial reporting, and compliance with administrative requirements; and

WHEREAS, the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law is a resource-intensive responsibility, and the Department of Transportation has a larger number of enforcement officers with a greater statewide presence, enabling more consistent and effective enforcement of motor carrier regulations; and

WHEREAS, Act 117, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, transferred the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation, leaving the regulatory authority with the Public Utilities Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has experience in managing and enforcing transportation regulations across various sectors, allowing for a more streamlined, efficient, and comprehensive approach to motor carrier oversight, particularly in ensuring road safety and fair industry practices; and

WHEREAS, while the transfer of full regulatory authority over motor carriers to the Department of Transportation would require legislative action, the Public Utilities Commission's support for such a transition would help facilitate a smooth and effective regulatory shift in the best interest of the industry and the public; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to support the complete transfer of its regulatory authority over motor carriers and other means of transportation, including water carriers, to the Department of Transportation, subject to legislative action, to ensure more effective and comprehensive oversight of the industry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.