Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2290, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a three-tier system of driver licensing, including the creation of a provisional license for persons under the age of eighteen.

This measure establishes the requirements for obtaining a provisional license, sets forth the conditions under which a young person may drive with a provisional license, and provides for a mandatory waiting period before a suspended or revoked provisional license may be reinstated.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Department of Transportation; the Department of Health; the Honolulu Police Department; the Hawaii Insurers Council; State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company; the American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition/SAFE KIDS Hawaii; and Mothers Against Drunk Driving- Hawaii. Testimony in opposition to this measure was received by the Office of the Public Defender. Offering comments on the measure was the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that this measure creates a three-tier graduated system of driver licensing that is increasingly common across the nation. Under this graduated driver's licensing system, young drivers would be afforded the time to gain the experience, a level of comfort, and proficiency in operating an automobile under the careful supervision of a licensed adult. In addition, the nighttime provisions are designed to reduce the risks associated with the nighttime operation of an automobile by a young person who may lack the necessary experience in handling and operating an automobile.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2290, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2290, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.