HCR 45: URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER MOTOR CARRIERS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING WATER CARRIERS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2025-03-27
Current Status:
In Progress
(2025-04-04: Referred to CPN/TCA.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER MOTOR CARRIERS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING WATER CARRIERS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
urging the public utilities commission to support the complete transfer of its regulatory authority over motor carriers and other means of transportation to the department of transportation.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
45 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER MOTOR CARRIERS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING WATER CARRIERS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
WHEREAS, the regulation and enforcement of motor carriers operating on public highways is essential to ensuring public safety, fair industry practices, and compliance with state laws; and
WHEREAS, under Hawaii's Motor Carrier Law, the Public Utilities Commission regulates motor carriers transporting passengers and property for compensation or hire; and
WHEREAS, at the end of fiscal year 2023, the Public Utilities Commission regulated approximately 1,741 motor carrier entities across the State, which entails oversight of tariff structures, annual financial reporting, and compliance with administrative requirements; and
WHEREAS, the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law is a resource-intensive responsibility, and the Department of Transportation has a larger number of enforcement officers with a greater statewide presence, enabling more consistent and effective enforcement of motor carrier regulations; and
WHEREAS, Act 117, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, transferred the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation, leaving the regulatory authority with the Public Utilities Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has experience in managing and enforcing transportation regulations across various sectors, allowing for a more streamlined, efficient, and comprehensive approach to motor carrier oversight, particularly in ensuring road safety and fair industry practices; and
WHEREAS, while the transfer of full regulatory authority over motor carriers to the Department of Transportation would require legislative action, the Public Utilities Commission's support for such a transition would help facilitate a smooth and effective regulatory shift in the best interest of the industry and the public; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to support the complete transfer of its regulatory authority over motor carriers and other means of transportation, including water carriers, to the Department of Transportation, subject to legislative action, to ensure more effective and comprehensive oversight of the industry; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.
DOT; PUC; Motor Carrier Law; Regulatory Authority; Transfer
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
45 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
urging the public utilities commission to support the complete transfer of its regulatory authority over motor carriers and other means of transportation to the department of transportation.
WHEREAS, the regulation and enforcement of motor carriers operating on public highways is essential to ensuring public safety, fair industry practices, and compliance with state laws; and
WHEREAS, under Hawaii's Motor Carrier Law, the Public Utilities Commission regulates motor carriers transporting passengers and property for compensation or hire; and
WHEREAS, at the end of fiscal year 2023, the Public Utilities Commission regulated approximately 1,741 motor carrier entities across the State, which entails oversight of tariff structures, annual financial reporting, and compliance with administrative requirements; and
WHEREAS, the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law is a resource-intensive responsibility, and the Department of Transportation has a larger number of enforcement officers with a greater statewide presence, enabling more consistent and effective enforcement of motor carrier regulations; and
WHEREAS, Act 117, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, transferred the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation, leaving the regulatory authority with the Public Utilities Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has experience in managing and enforcing transportation regulations across various sectors, allowing for a more streamlined, efficient, and comprehensive approach to motor carrier oversight, particularly in ensuring road safety and fair industry practices; and
WHEREAS, while the transfer of full regulatory authority over motor carriers to the Department of Transportation would require legislative action, the Public Utilities Commission's support for such a transition would help facilitate a smooth and effective regulatory shift in the best interest of the industry and the public; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to support the complete transfer of its regulatory authority over motor carriers and other means of transportation to the Department of Transportation, subject to legislative action, to ensure more effective and comprehensive oversight of the industry; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.
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OFFERED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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DOT; PUC; Motor Carrier Law; Regulatory Authority; Transfer
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Date
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Status
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| Apr 4, 2025 | Referred to CPN/TCA. |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 510). |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Souza voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Woodson excused (2). |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1831), recommending adoption. |
| Apr 1, 2025 | The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Chun, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Ilagan, Tam, Pierick. |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Resolution scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 04-01-25 2:00PM in conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on CPC as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Souza voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Hussey, Muraoka, Ward excused (4). |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1671) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to CPC. |
| Mar 25, 2025 | The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Grandinetti, Evslin, Kitagawa, La Chica, Miyake, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran. |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 03-25-25 9:10AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 20, 2025 | The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-25-25. |
| Mar 18, 2025 | Resolution scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 03-20-25 10:15AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Referred to TRN, CPC, referral sheet 22 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Offered |
| Mar 4, 2025 | To be offered. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 1, 2025 | The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce |
Passed |
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| Mar 25, 2025 | The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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| comments from the Hawaii Department of Transportation | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Public Utilities Commission | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1831
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.C.R. No. 45
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 45, H.D. 1, entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER MOTOR CARRIERS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING WATER CARRIERS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 45, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,
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____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1671
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.C.R. No. 45
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 45 entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER MOTOR CARRIERS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to urge the Public Utilities Commission to support the complete transfer of its regulatory authority over motor carriers and other means of transportation to the Department of Transportation.
Your Committee finds that effective regulation and enforcement of motor carriers operating on public highways is essential for public safety, fair industry practices, and compliance with state laws. While the Public Utilities Commission currently oversees motor carrier regulation, enforcement responsibilities have been transferred to the Department of Transportation, which has a broader enforcement presence and expertise in transportation oversight. This measure will provide a more streamlined and efficient regulatory framework for motor carriers throughout the State by transferring regulatory authority to the Department of Transportation.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that other means of transportation include water carriers; and
(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 45, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 45, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
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____________________________ DARIUS KILA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Apr 1, 2025 | HCR45_HD1_TESTIMONY_CPC_04-01-25_.PDF |
| Mar 24, 2025 | HCR45_TESTIMONY_TRN_03-25-25_.PDF |
| Mar 20, 2025 | HCR45_TESTIMONY_TRN_03-20-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
4MIN
House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Transportation
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):