STAND. COM. REP. NO. 468

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 980

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 980 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enact a statewide law prohibiting the use of any mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle and to establish penalties for violations of the law.

The Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and two concerned individuals supported this measure.  General Motors LLC and the Hawaii Transportation Association supported this measure with amendments.  The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Modifying the definition of "mobile electronic device";

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

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

     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. 980, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 980, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair