STAND. COM. REP. NO.  200-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.B. No. 2602

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2602 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to promote traffic safety by:

     (1)  Prohibiting the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, with certain exceptions; and

     (2)  Establishing penalties for infraction.

     The Department of Transportation, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Honolulu Police Department, and many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Transportation Association and a concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  Several concerned individuals supported this bill with amendments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Removing the requirement that drivers using two-way radios for work-related duties must be operating a fleet vehicle or possess a commercial vehicle license to be exempt from the provisions of this bill;

     (2)  Removing the provision that would make the infractions a criminal offense; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2602, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2602, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair