Bill Text: HI HB358 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Transportation; Hybrid Bicycles; Vehicular Tax; Traffic Code

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-01 - Carried over to 2012 Regular Session. [HB358 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB358-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  423

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

 

RE:   H.B. No. 358

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 358 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HYBRID BICYCLES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, particularly bicycles, by:

 

     (1)  Establishing the specifications of bicycles that may be transported on buses used in a public transportation system; and

 

     (2)  Amending the definition of "bicycle" contained in the county vehicular taxes law and Statewide Traffic Code to include bicycles with an electric motor.

 

     The City and County of Honolulu (C&CH), Maui Bicycle Alliance, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.

 

     Hawaii is facing an ever increasing traffic congestion problem.  The promotion of alternative means of transportation would help to alleviate this situation.  While bicycles are a healthy and clean alternative form of transportation, some individuals may not be attracted to this alternative, particularly for traveling long distances.  Advancements in technology have allowed for electric powered bicycles to be developed that are capable of traveling long distances which makes this form of transportation more appealing.

 

     Your Committee notes that C&CH recommended that the definition of "electric bicycle" be amended to distinguish it from mopeds and motor scooters.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by amending the definition of electric bicycle to conform to the federal definition which contains thresholds for maximum power and speed.

 

     Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for 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. 358, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 358, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

 

		____________________________ JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair