STAND. COM. REP. NO.  612-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1676

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1676, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to promote public safety by:

 

(1)  Establishing a three-year pilot program in major arterial zones on state or county highways within a specified area to provide for the implementation of photo red light imaging detector systems to improve traffic enforcement;

 

(2)  Authorizing any affected county to implement the photo red light imaging detector systems pilot program; and

 

(3)  Appropriating funds for the establishment of a photo red light imaging detector systems pilot program.

 

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communications Access Board, Honolulu Police Department, Maui Police Department, Blue Zones Project, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, and ten individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Transportation, Department of Budget and Finance, Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Bicycling League, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the prevalence of motorists who violate Hawaii's traffic laws, particularly those who fail to stop at red lights, has greatly increased.  These violations endanger the lives of motorists, pedestrians, and other highway users and compound the already hazardous conditions on Hawaii's roads and highways.

 

     Your Committee understands that this measure is a work in progress and notes the comments of the Judiciary requesting the effective date for this program be extended to give the Judiciary ample time to create new citations and ensure system compatibility.  Your Committee also notes the comments of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu requesting amendments for clarification of several terms in this measure.  Your Committee further notes the difficulty prosecutors may face when establishing foundational evidence to convict low-level traffic offenders; however, your Committee believes this measure should continue through the process for further consideration.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1676, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair