Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1606, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to impose an additional and separate fine of $100 upon conviction of alcohol related driving offenses.

The bill further provides that the proceeds of each fine imposed are to be disbursed to the law enforcement agency responsible for the particular arrest and used by that agency to facilitate its enforcement of alcohol related driving offenses, including but not limited to in-car video cameras, alcohol breath testers, radar and laser speed detection devices, and court overtime.

Your Committee finds that present technology provides many benefits to law enforcement personnel in the prevention and enforcement of alcohol related driving offenses, including the use of in-car video cameras, alcohol breath testers, and radar and laser speed detection devices. However, the price of such technology may not be compatible with county police department budgets.

Your Committee finds that the bill will provide an additional source of funding for the county police departments to enable them to conduct sobriety checkpoints more regularly and to purchase necessary equipment, such as video cameras and alcohol breath testers, to facilitate enforcement of alcohol related driving offenses.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1606, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.