Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2108 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to upgrade the Hawaii County police department's telecommunication systems.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee finds that the telecommunications system utilized by the Hawaii County police department suffers from numerous deficiencies that put the safety of the public and law enforcement officers at risk. The present system lacks adequate coverage, is unreliable, and suffers from channel congestion, among other problems, and is unable to handle the increasing number of calls for police assistance. This measure appropriates funds that would enable the Hawaii County police department to upgrade its system and, thereby, to better protect the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2108 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.