THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2553
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE IDLING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that emissions from motor vehicles are one of the greatest sources of manmade pollution on Earth.  An idling vehicle releases harmful chemicals, gases, and particle pollution into the air, contributing to ozone, regional haze, and global climate change.  Every gallon of gas burned produces more than twenty pounds of greenhouse gases.

     Research from the United States Environmental Protection Agency confirms that personal vehicles generate about thirty million tons of carbon dioxide every year, while eliminating this practice entirely would be the equivalent of taking five million vehicles off the road during the same period.

     Research by the United States Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory confirms that idling for more than ten seconds uses more fuel and emits more carbon dioxide than engine restarting.

     Reducing idling is especially important for children, who are particularly vulnerable to this air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe faster than adults.  On average, children breathe fifty per cent more air per pound of body weight than adults do, and due to their height, they are closer to the ground and therefore closer to vehicle tailpipes.  The pollution in exhaust can aggravate asthma and allergies, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.  Higher levels of air pollution have been linked to increased school absences, hospital visits, and even premature deaths.  Vehicle emissions are still present and harmful even when exhaust is not visible.  Just one vehicle dropping off and picking up children at school releases three pounds of air pollution each month.  There are many health problems associated with air pollution for both children and adults, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

     The legislature finds that it is just as important to protect children from exhaust fumes as it is to protect them from second-hand cigarette smoke.

     The legislature further finds that although state law prohibits excessive idling in loading zones, parking and service areas, route terminals, and other off-street areas, the practice is becoming increasingly common, especially at department of education facilities where children are exposed to automotive fumes on a daily basis.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of education to enforce the state prohibition on excessive idling and to develop pick-up and drop-off procedures that do not endanger the health and well-being of Hawaii's children by exposure to exhaust fumes.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Excessive idling prohibition enforcement.  The department of education shall enforce the state prohibition on excessive idling.  Additionally, the department of education shall develop new procedures for all school pick-up and drop-off areas with the goal of minimizing the exposure of exhaust fumes to children."

     SECTION 3.  The department of education, department of health, and the Hawaii state energy office shall collaborate on the development and implementation of a new campaign called "Bridle the Idle" with the goal of educating the general public, business community, and visitors about the impacts of excessive idling while informing them that the practice is illegal.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Motor Vehicle Emissions; Climate Change; Department of Education

 

Description:

Directs the Department of Education to enforce the prohibition on excessive motor vehicle idling, develop pick-up and drop-off procedures at schools to minimize child exposure to exhaust fumes, and collaborate with the Department of Health and the Hawaii State Energy Office to create the "Bridle the Idle" campaign to educate people on the harmful effects of idling as well as its illegality.

 

 

 

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