STAND. COM. REP. NO. 197

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 659

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 659 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 increase the fine for violations of operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

     Your Committee finds that alcohol-impaired driving is a significant problem in Hawaii.  During calendar year 2015, of the ninety-three total fatalities that occurred on Hawaii's roads, thirty-three were alcohol-impaired fatalities.  Your Committee further finds that in the same year, police in the State arrested over six thousand drivers for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.  This measure will further disincentivize intoxicant-impaired driving by significantly increasing the penalty for that offense.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Energy that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 659 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair