STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3556

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1692

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1692, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to change the fines imposed for mobile electronic device violations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, AAA Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Fatality Analysis Reporting System statistics indicate that almost twenty-five percent of Hawai‘i's one hundred eight traffic fatalities involved distracted drivers in 2019. Distracted driving is a significant threat, responsible for over three thousand fatalities each year nationwide. This measure will deter drivers from using their cell phones while driving, which will reduce motor vehicle fatalities and injuries on Hawai‘i's roadways.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a fine of $300 for mobile electronic device violations; and

(2) Increasing the fine to $400 for mobile electronic violations in a school zone or construction area.

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. 1692, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1692, S.D. 2.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair