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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
99 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
Urging the public utilities commission to increase fines, fees, and enforcement efforts regarding tour bus OPERATORS WHO violate state law.
WHEREAS, the abatement of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, and easing of travel restrictions are expected to bring record numbers of visitors to Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism forecasts that visitor arrivals to the State will reach or exceed pre-pandemic numbers by 2024; and
WHEREAS, many visitors to the State participate in group excursions and navigate Hawaii's islands by tour bus; and
WHEREAS, some tour bus operators have negatively impacted the daily lives of the State's residents by monopolizing parking spots, blocking residential driveways, and dropping off passengers in locations that make roadways unsafe; and
WHEREAS, in the year prior to the pandemic, the Public Utilities Commission issued seventy-four citations for violations by tour bus operators, with many bus operators accruing multiple citations; and
WHEREAS, greater deterrents are needed to ensure that tour bus operators do not endanger or inconvenience the State's residents by repeatedly violating state law; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to increase fines, fees, and enforcement efforts regarding tour bus operators who violate state law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Chairperson and all members of the Public Utilities Commission.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Public Utilities Commission; Tour Bus Operators; Fines; Enforcement