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. 1554 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to conform amendments relating to revocation of motor vehicle registrations under administrative revocation proceedings with the comprehensive law regarding driving under the influence scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2002.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, the Judiciary, the Honolulu Police Department, the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Your Committee finds that persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs present a serious public safety hazard. Despite harsh penalties under existing law, the problem persists.

On January 1, 2002, Hawaii's new consolidated, comprehensive drunk driving law will go into effect. Your Committee supports this measure, which amends several provisions of that law to conform to later-enacted provisions of law.

Your Committee amended this measure based on the testimony of the Judiciary, to clarify that a person's license may be revoked only for third and fourth offenses, rather than for all offenses. This is existing law, and your Committee believes that the change was merely an oversight. Your Committee also made several technical amendments for clarity and accuracy.

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. 1554, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1554, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.