Bill to ban rentals of ‘dockless vehicles’ up for discussion

A bill prohibiting a commercial system of short-term rentals of dockless vehicles and a bill authorizing the implementation of a parking ambassador program will be discussed at a Maui County Council committee meeting on Monday.

The Infrastructure and Transportation Committee will meet at 9 a.m. to again discuss Bill 133, which was introduced by Council Member Tamara Paltin and would make it unlawful to park or abandon dockless vehicles on public property, a sidewalk, a street or a highway.

Dockless vehicles, such as electric scooters and bikes, have become popular in many cities where people are able to use apps to rent the vehicles for a short period of time and park them anywhere once they’re done. The bill says this could create hazards for pedestrians and a parking nuisance.

The committee will also discuss Bill 151, which was proposed by the Department of Management and would authorize a parking ambassador program to assist the county Department of Transportation in enforcing county and state parking laws, as well as create a payment system by establishing paid parking zones and permit parking zones, said Committee Chairwoman Yuki Lei Sugimura.

The meeting will be available to view live online and on Akaku channel 53. For more information on the bills and other agenda items, visit mauicounty.us/agendas.

In addition to receiving live testimony by phone or videoconference, the committee will accept written testimony. For instructions on submitting testimony, see mauicounty.us/testify.