STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1301

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1422

H.D. 2

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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1422, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to exempt community-based organizations that provide transportation services from the State's Motor Carrier Law under certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, County of Kauaʻi, Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana, Hanalei Initiative, and Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that many of the State's popular destinations, including beach parks, scenic viewpoints, hiking trailheads, cultural sites, wildlife habitats, and other natural resources are often located alongside congested state highways or county roads with limited parking. Your Committee further finds that there are community-based organizations that collaborate with the State, counties, visitor industry, and impacted neighborhoods to provide transportation services and address traffic congestion in these areas. Your Committee additionally finds that these community-based organizations generate sufficient revenues to fund their operations and reinvest into natural and cultural resources. However, your Committee believes that existing law hinders the efforts of these organizations. Accordingly, this measure exempts certain community-based organizations from the Motor Carrier Law, allowing these organizations to continue providing indispensable transportation services that support the State's natural and cultural resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a sunset date of July 1, 2028; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1422, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1422, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair