STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2449

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2971

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2971 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the negligent injury offense laws to include more types of vehicles that if operated by a person in a negligent manner that results in the bodily injury of another person, would constitute the offenses.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui; the Maui Police Department; Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii; and one private individual.

     Your Committee finds that a person is guilty of a negligent injury offense if that person causes serious or substantial bodily injury to another person while operating a motor vehicle.  This measure allows this negligent injury offense to also include the negligent operation of a moped or vessel.  Adding a broader definition for vehicles under the Hawaii penal code will hold vehicle operators more accountable for their actions, especially when their actions involve the safety of others.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2971 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair