STAND. COM. REP. NO. 728

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 693

       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 S.B. No. 693, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve highway safety.

     More specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Establishes a three-year pilot photo red light imaging detector system program to improve enforcement of the traffic-control signal laws in all counties with a population in excess of 600,000; and

     (2)  Make other amendments regarding highway safety.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Bicycling League, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, and ten concerned individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and two concerned individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Matson Navigation Co., Inc. and one concerned individual.

     Your Committee finds that the prevalence of drivers violating Hawaii's traffic laws, especially on the island of Oahu, has become a serious problem.  These violations endanger the lives of motorists and pedestrians.  This measure will establish a three-year pilot photo red light imaging detector system program to identify and deter those who run red lights.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that information obtained from the pilot project may be used for highway safety research;

     (2)  Harmonizing confidentiality provisions of the pilot project with those found in applicable traffic statutes;

     (3)  Adding a definition for "truck"; 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 S.B. No. 693, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 693, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair