Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1225 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure, as referred to your Committee, was to appropriate funds for the State to acquire highway variable message signs to provide roadside information to passing motorists.

The Department of Transportation submitted testimony in opposition to this measure. The Department indicated that it supports the use of variable message signs, but that an appropriation is unnecessary at this time due to the fact that the Department is in the process of implementing the Akamai Highway Information system, which will include use of variable message signs.

Your Committee finds that with ever increasing traffic congestion on all roads and highways throughout Hawaii, acquisition of more variable message signs would be very useful for informing motorists in advance of road conditions and closures.

Based on the Department's testimony, however, your Committee has amended this measure to change the appropriation amount to $0 and insert a provision requiring the Department to prepare a report for the legislature regarding implementation of the Akamai Highway Information system, including planned acquisition and use of variable message signs. The Department shall submit its report to the legislature prior to the 2002 session, at which time any necessary legislation can be considered.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1225, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1225, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.