STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2187

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 220

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 220, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE LEGAL PREPARATION TASK FORCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Attorney General to convene an autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Transportation Association, Organizing for Action, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, 350.org Maui Nui, and eight individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that international companies in several locations have begun using autonomous vehicles for commercial purposes, and current autonomous vehicle industry trends suggest overwhelmingly that all autonomous vehicles will be electric, which could contribute significantly to Hawaii's clean energy goals.  Your Committee further finds that although twenty-nine states and Washington D.C. have enacted legislation related to autonomous vehicles and governors in eleven states, including Hawaii, have issued executive orders related to autonomous vehicles, Hawaii law is silent with respect to autonomous vehicle testing or use.  Your Committee additionally finds that adaptation of any new industry and technology presents significant legal and societal challenges.  Your Committee also finds that the adaptation and testing of autonomous vehicles should be examined for the State to prepare for the legal and regulatory implications of transitioning to autonomous vehicles.  This measure requests the establishment of a task force to examine these issues and make recommendations to address them.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requesting the President of the Senate to designate as members of the task force three members of the Senate instead of specifying the chairs of the Senate Committee on Judiciary; Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health; and Senate Committee on Transportation;

 

     (2)  Requesting that the preliminary report to the Legislature be submitted no later than December 1, 2019;

 

     (3)  Requesting that the final report to the Legislature be submitted no later than December 1, 2020; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 220, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 220, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair