STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1275

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   S.B. No. 295

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 295, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to promote the use of hybrid vehicles and other energy-efficient vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, by allowing these vehicles to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle.

 

     The Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, Ltd., and Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., testified in support of this bill.

 

     Energy–efficient vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, are gaining increased acceptance in the consumer market.  These vehicles are being purchased in greater numbers and are becoming a more common sight on our roadways.  The use of these vehicles not only reduces the consumption of fossil fuels but also aids in the reduction of pollution, including greenhouse-gas emissions.  Providing incentives for the purchase and use of these vehicles, such as allowing these vehicles to use HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants, will benefit the environment and decrease the State's dependence on fossil fuels.

 

     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 S.B. No. 295, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair