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. 1610 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the penalties for intentionally defacing or altering the serial number or identification number of a vehicle in order to mislead authorities as to the true identity of the vehicle.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department. The Office of the Public Defender testified in opposition to this measure.

Your Committee finds that motor vehicle theft is a growing problem in the State. When the serial number or identification number on a vehicle has been altered, it is much more difficult for law enforcement officials to track the vehicle and enforce the law.

Your Committee believes that the stiffer penalties contained in this measure will provide a strong deterrent to this crime.

Your Committee amended this measure to provide for mandatory minimum penalties for intentionally defacing or altering vehicle serial numbers. As amended, a person convicted of violating this section shall receive a minimum penalty of eighteen months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Your Committee also made technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity.

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. 1610, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1610, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.