STAND. COM. REP. NO.  336-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1747

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1747 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is increase traffic safety by, among other things, allowing a police officer to have a motor vehicle towed and impounded if the operator of the motor vehicle is arrested or cited for various traffic offenses, including driving under the influence of an intoxicant, with certain exceptions.

The Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, MADD Hawaii, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that traffic safety is a serious issue.  Numerous drivers are cited each year for operating a vehicle without a license, operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, to name a few.  Unfortunately, many of these drivers continue to operate their motor vehicles immediately after receiving these citations.  Your Committee finds that allowing police officers to tow and impound a motor vehicle if the operator of that motor vehicle is arrested or cited for certain serious traffic offenses may act as a deterrent to this type of activity and make Hawaii's roadways safer.

     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. 1747 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair