STAND. COM. REP. NO. 854

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1163

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1163, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AERONAUTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to impose civil fines not exceeding $200, rather than criminal penalties, for violations of chapter 261, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any rules or orders issued pursuant thereto, involving the following:

(1)  Aviation safety measures, practices, or requirements; or

(2)  Licensing and regulation of persons engaged in commercial activities at public airports.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, General Aviation Council of Hawaii, and fourteen individuals.

     The Department of Transportation and five individuals submitted written comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that this measure addresses concerns raised by the general aviation community with respect to overly harsh criminal penalties for perceived minor infractions, such as keeping non-aircraft items in a hangar otherwise used for aircraft storage.  Your Committee also finds that because this measure decriminalizes certain offenses, aviators will be able to quickly resolve violations by paying a civil fine, rather than resort to contesting a case in court purely to avoid losing their pilot's licenses or jeopardizing their careers.  Your Committee anticipates that the timely payment of fines will result in increased revenue for the State and ease the burden on the courts.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1163, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair