STAND. COM. REP. NO. 975

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 123
                                     H.D. 2




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which
was referred H.B. No. 123, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
     OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to authorize the forfeiture of
the motor vehicle that was driven by a defendant who is convicted
of a third driving under the influence offense or habitually
driving under the influence offense of intoxicating liquor or of
drugs (DUI).

     Testimony in support of this bill was received from the
Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of
Honolulu, the Honolulu Police Department, the Repeat Offender
Sub-Committee of the Impaired Driving Task Force, and Mothers
Against Drunk Drivers.  Additional testimony was received from
the Department of Transportation and the Office of the Public
Defender.

     Your Committee finds that driving while under the influence
of drugs or intoxicating liquor is still a serious problem in
this State.  Persons driving while intoxicated or drug impaired
pose a danger to themselves, to other drivers, as well as to
pedestrians.  Over the years, the Legislature has passed
significant legislation in an attempt to curb the instances of
DUI's; however, DUI arrests continue to occur at significant

 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 975
                                 Page 2

 
levels.  Your Committee believes that this measure will send a
stronger message to deter persons from driving while intoxicated.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by making technical,
nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style and clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 123, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto
as H.B. No. 123, H.D. 2.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary &
                                   Hawaiian Affairs,



                                   ______________________________
                                   PAUL T. OSHIRO, Chair