STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2563

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2755

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2755, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to promote safer roadways and fewer distractions while driving by prohibiting the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by one state agency, three county agencies, two private organizations, and four individuals.  Written comments were submitted by one county agency.  Written comments presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that this measure encourages more focused and responsible driving, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

     Upon further consideration of the comments submitted, your Committee finds that drivers are not authorized under this measure, as written, to use two-way radios while operating smaller public utility vehicles to perform important work-related troubleshooting and supervisory duties.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding an exemption for drivers who are using two-way radios while operating vehicles owned by a public utility in the performance and scope of their work-related duties; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2755, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2755, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair