STAND. COM. REP. NO.  862

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 687

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 687 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to address concerns with emergencies involving electric vehicles.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Requires the Department of Transportation (Department) to study the dangers relating to emergencies involving electric vehicles;

 

(2)  Requires the Department to develop a training program for employees responding to emergencies involving electric vehicles;

 

(3)  Requires the Department to submit a report to the Legislature; and

 

(4)  Appropriates funds to the Department to conduct the study and develop the training program.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department; the State Fire Council; the Kauai Fire Department; the County of Maui, Department of Fire & Public Safety; and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association.  The Department of Transportation submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that electric vehicles present specialized challenges for emergency responders and require specific procedures due to their high voltage use.  Your Committee further finds that electric vehicle use in the State is expected to increase over the next ten years.  Requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct a study and develop a training program for employees who respond to emergencies involving electric vehicles will help to ensure the safety of first and second responders along with the public.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum; and

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion on the measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 687, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 687, H.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair