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. 2567 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase criminal littering penalties to a class C felony for any item of litter weighing at least fifty pounds; provided that establishing a violation does not require testimony by a police officer, but may rely on other relevant evidence, such as photographic evidence or testimony of other witnesses.

Your Committee finds that littering significantly degrades both the environment and quality of life in Hawaii. Proactive steps should be taken to disincentivize littering. Eliminating the need for police officers to testify and allowing the use of photographs or other evidence will enhance the efficiency of the courts in adjudicating a littering offense.

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. 2567 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.