Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2337, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide enhanced penalties, including vehicle forfeiture for third offenses, for persons convicted of reckless driving or racing on highways.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Honolulu Police Department, and four private citizens. The Public Defender submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

This measure creates separate, stepped-up penalties for first, second, and third offenses, and provides for vehicle forfeiture for persons convicted of reckless driving.

Your Committee finds that racing on our highways has become an increasingly common problem in Hawaii. The number of speed and racing related accidents and fatalities are far too high, and your Committee believes that harsher penalties may be an appropriate deterrent.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying the language relating to forfeiture requirements under chapter 712A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2337, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2337, S.D. 2.