STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1354

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 90

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 90, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to address issues regarding the use of emergency response vehicle sirens and lights. 

More specifically, this measure establishes an emergency response vehicle noise task force within the Department of Health to examine the use and effectiveness of lights and sirens by emergency response vehicles.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Fire Council; Kauai Fire Department; and two concerned individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the public has serious concerns regarding the appropriate use of sirens and lights on emergency response vehicles, including whether the sirens are audible by motorists, whether the lights are visible, and whether the sirens and lights are unnecessarily used.  This measure would establish a task force to examine these issues and make recommendations on any appropriate changes to the law. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Making the task force permanent by codifying its establishment in the Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Providing for nomination and appointment of non-governmental members in accordance with section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 90, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 90, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair