The import car ban attempt in Hawaii is moving forward. If you are in Hawaii, make sure you email, or call the committees know how you feel about these proposed regulations.
Aloha,
Just a quick update. HB 2400 has been referred to the transportation and judiciary committees and it is now time to email the chair and vice chair of these committees and let them know how you feel about this bill. Below is this info:
House TRN Chair
Henry J.C. Aquino
House District 38
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 419
phone: 808-586-6520
fax: 808-586-6521
repaquino@Capitol.hawaii.gov
House TRN Vice Chair
Sean Quinlan
House District 47
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 304
phone: 808-586-6380
fax: 808-586-6381
repquinlan@Capitol.hawaii.gov
House JUD Chair
Scott Y. Nishimoto
House District 21
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 421
phone: 808-586-8515
fax: 808-586-8519
repnishimoto@Capitol.hawaii.gov
House JUD Vice Chair
Joy A. San Buenaventura
House District 4
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 302
phone: 808-586-6530
fax: 808-586-6531
repsanbuenaventura@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Here is the same email form I had sent out previously if you happen to misplace it.
Aloha,
I am writing you today to express my opposition to (HB2400 or SB2827). My objection to this bill comes from my love for Hawai'i's car community. This bill if passed would be an attack on the local automotive community. Although it might seem like a simple bill concerning the issuing of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to reconstructed vehicles, the proposal at its core will eliminate a pathway for our community to register Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) exempt vehicles in the state of Hawai'i.
The FMVSS only affects vehicles 25 years from the date of manufacture. You can see this in 49 U.S.C. 30112 (b)(9). The code mentioned states the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only enforces these requirements on a vehicle that is under the age of 25 years. Anything over 25 years is exempt from having to comply with these requirements. This bill will allow the Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HIDOT) to enforce the FMVSS requirements on vehicles that are to be exempt. By doing so, this will require a vehicle regardless of age be sent to a Registered Importer (RI) for modification; however, there is a small problem in doing so. The process for sending a vehicle to a Registered Importer does not exist as the automobile is FMVSS exempt meaning there would be nothing an RI could do. By doing so, HIDOT will be sending all FMVSS exempt vehicles into limbo where a Registered Importer who is dictated by the NHTSA will not be able to make these changes because the federal government will tell them the vehicle is exempt and does not require such a process.
In addition to this, I would like to add that out of all United States, Hawai'i is the only state that has any issues with this section of the federal law. There are no issues relating to the safety of these vehicles in any other state. This bill also does not address the imported cars that are currently here in the State of Hawai'i and legally registered. It is because of this I humbly ask for your assistance in opposing (HB2400 or SB2827) this legislative session.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Please let them know how you feel about this bill. Also, you are more than welcome to call them and voice your opinion if that is easier for you.
The next step for these bills will be a committee hearing if they get scheduled. If a hearing is scheduled I will let you know. You can also make an account and set up notifications so that the state will let you know when a hearing is scheduled. If they do not get scheduled by a committee then there is a good chance the bill will die. Please take action now in helping insure these bills do not make it to law.
Sincerely,Scott-Michael Waracka
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