Bill Text: HI HR137 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Establish A Task Force To Explore Certain Topics Associated With The Use Of The Metric System In Hawaii.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-11 - Referred to TRN, FIN, referral sheet 40 [HR137 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HR137-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	137
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of Transportation to establish a task force to explore certain topics associated with the use of the metric system in Hawaii.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that strong reasons exist for Hawai‘i and other states to switch to the metric system, also known as the International System of Units or SI; and

 

     WHEREAS, using its customary system of inches, feet, ounces, and pounds, the United States is an outlier regarding measurement standards; and

 

     WHEREAS, only two other countries - Burma and Liberia - do not utilize the metric system as their predominant means of measurement; and

 

     WHEREAS, the metric system is the language of science, medicine, international commerce, and most sports; and

 

     WHEREAS, learning two measurement systems is time-consuming, confusing, and can result in costly and dangerous conversion errors; and

 

     WHEREAS, the costs of not utilizing the metric system are quickly increasing with the trend toward globalization; and

 

     WHEREAS, not conforming to the global standards of measurement could result in the United States losing its competitive edge in science and technology and continue to be a bilateral trade impediment with other countries; and

 

     WHEREAS, the economic benefits of global interoperability greatly outweigh the challenges of converting to the metric system; and

 

     WHEREAS, product design, manufacturing, marketing, and labeling are all made more difficult by having to convert measurements from one system to another; and

 

     WHEREAS, switching to the metric system could result in the creation of many jobs and enable the current and future workforce of the United States to be more prepared to compete in the international marketplace; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Department of Transportation is requested to establish a task force to examine certain topics associated with the use of the metric system in Hawai‘i, such as:

 

     (1)  Exploring the use of the metric system for distance and speed measurements on public signs; and

 

     (2)  Evaluating whether any problems have occurred for tourists from metric system-based countries; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following members:

 

     (1)  The Director of Transportation or the Director's designee, who shall serve as the Chairperson of the task force;

 

     (2)  The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism or the Director's designee;

 

     (3)  The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority or the President and Chief Executive Officer's designee;

 

     (4)  The Administrator of the Quality Assurance Division of the Department of Agriculture or the Administrator's designee;

 

     (5)  A member of the Senate, to be designated by the President of the Senate; and

 

     (6)  A member of the House of Representatives, to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force members may recommend additional members with relevant expertise to the task force, with the approval of the chairperson; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation shall provide administrative and clerical support required by the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, no later than sixty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; and Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Transportation; Study; Metric System in Hawaii