STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2133

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2366

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2366 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit texting using an electronic wireless communication device while driving.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from General Motors and one individual.  The Honolulu Police Department submitted testimony in opposition.

     Your Committee finds that texting while driving is increasing on Hawai‘i roads and highways, creating unsafe driving conditions and contributing to traffic slow downs and accidents.

     Your Committee understands the concerns of the Honolulu Police Department regarding enforcement of this measure, but supports efforts to decrease driver distractions.

     Your Committee has amended this measure to add three exemptions:

     (1)  Sending or receiving emergency alert messages;

     (2)  Messages related to the operation of a motor vehicle or an accessory component thereof; or

     (3)  Any global positioning or navigation system that is permanently affixed to the motor vehicle.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2366, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2366, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair