STAND. COM. REP. NO.  839

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 156

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 156, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES WHILE DRIVING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance motor vehicle safety by:

     (1)  Prohibiting the use of a mobile telephone while operating a moving vehicle, unless the telephone is equipped with a hands-free accessory and is being used in the hands-free mode;

     (2)  Prohibiting the use of a mobile telephone, including those with hands-free accessories, while operating a moving school bus that is carrying passengers;

     (3)  Prohibiting the use of a mobile telephone, including those with hands-free accessories, while operating a moving transit vehicle; and

     (4)  Imposing fines for violations.

     The bill provides exemptions for use of a mobile telephone for emergency purposes.

     Cingular Wireless, Oahu Transit Services, Inc., and Verizon Wireless testified in support of this bill.  The Office of the Public Defender opposed this measure.

     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 H.B. No. 156, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair