STAND. COM. REP. NO.  448

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1184

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1184 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AERONAUTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to replace criminal penalties for airport offenses involving safety measures, practices, or requirements and licensing and regulation of persons engaged in commercial activities at public airports with a civil penalty.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, General Aviation Council of Hawaii, East West Avionics, Inc., Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1182, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Transportation opposed this measure.  A few concerned individuals provided comments.

     Your Committee finds that the imposition of criminal penalties for violations of certain categories of airport rules has been excessive and disproportionate to the gravity of the acts committed.  The current misdemeanor penalty for certain airport offenses can also result in significantly harsh consequences.  This measure seeks to penalize certain airport offenses with a civil penalty while still allowing for criminal penalties to be imposed for violations of airport security measures and requirements.
     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

     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. 1184, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1184, 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