Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2639, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the sanctions for driving with a high blood alcohol level.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, the Honolulu Police Department, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The Office of the Public Defender submitted testimony in opposition to this measure. The Judiciary submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that persons who are highly intoxicated are an enhanced danger while driving and deserve enhanced penalties. Your Committee notes the comments of the Judiciary that this measure appears to blur the line between first time offenders and repeat intoxicated drivers.

Your Committee has amended this measure to change the definition of "highly intoxicated driver" to a person whose measurable amount of alcohol is 0.20 or more grams of blood or breath alcohol for the purpose of enhanced penalties for driving while intoxicated.

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. 2639, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2639, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.