STAND. COM. REP. NO.2906

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2030

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2030, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOWING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purposes of this measure are to increase certain statutorily authorized towing fees, and to require towing companies to accommodate payment by cash, credit card, or automated teller machine, at the option of the owner of the towed vehicle.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Towing Association and from Catrala-Hawaii. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Hawaii Insurer's Council.

Your Committee finds that statutorily authorized towing fees were increased during the 2001 legislative session, and that no further increases are warranted at this time.

However, your Committee supports the amendments requiring towing companies to accommodate payment by cash, credit card, or ATM card, at the option of the owner of the towed vehicle. This will make it easier for vehicle owners to retrieve their cars.

Your Committee amended this measure by replacing its contents with the contents of S.B. No. 2334, S.D. 2, which does not provide for an increase in towing fees, but which requires towing companies to obtain all machinery necessary to accommodate payment by credit card and ATM machine.

Your Committee also amended this measure to require towing companies to attempt to notify vehicle owners by telephone and facsimile, in addition to registered or certified mail, within 24 hours after a vehicle is towed.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2030, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2030, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair