STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1190

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 420

      S.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 S.B. No. 420, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LASER DEVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a criminal offense for intentionally or knowingly directing the beam from a laser or laser scope that produces over 5 milliwatts of energy at an occupied aircraft.  This measure establishes a misdemeanor offense for pointing a laser at an aircraft and a class C felony for such actions that interfere with the pilot's aircraft operations or injure any person on board.

The Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and two individuals supported this measure.

     Your Committee finds that in recent years the number of incidents in which aircraft have become targets of green laser lights while flying or landing at an airport has grown, presenting a significant aviation safety risk.  Between 2006 and 2016, 21,500 incidents involving laser devices and aircraft were reported by pilots to the Federal Aviation Administration.  The State's existing penal code does not adequately address situations in which an individual who aims a laser light at an occupied aircraft causes injuries to those on board or causes delays in flight schedules.  This measure will deter such actions and help ensure flight and passenger safety by establishing criminal offenses and corresponding penalties for directing a laser light at an occupied aircraft.

     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 S.B. No. 420, S.D. 1, 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