STAND. COM. REP. NO.  248-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2021

      H.D. 1

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. 2021 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to mitigate issues of public safety and privacy concerns with regard to unmanned aerial vehicles.  Specifically, this measure;

     (1)  Establishes enhanced fines for the use of unmanned aerial systems in the commission of offenses related to trespassing, harassment, privacy violations, and violations of temporary restraining orders; and

     (2)  Includes knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in airspace directly above a premises up to 200 feet above ground level in the offense of simple trespass.

The Department of Public Safety and Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of this measure.  The Motion Picture Association of America testified in opposition to this measure.

     Unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones, have become very popular over the years.  In 2015, an estimated 700,000 recreational drones were sold in the United States with that number expected to increase in 2016.  Often equipped with cameras, drones are popular tools to capture video images of Hawaii's stunning natural beauty which has led to an increase in their use statewide.  However, with this new technology comes concerns regarding issues of privacy and public safety.  Your Committee finds that establishing enhanced fines and offenses for the improper use of drones will work to protect public safety.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Increasing the height limit for unlawfully remaining in airspace directly above a premises from 200 feet to 400 feet to be more in-line with Federal Aviation Administration rules; and

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050.

     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. 2021, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2021, H.D. 1, 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