STAND. COM. REP. NO. 587-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1884

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1884 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit any person whose driver's license has been administratively revoked or who has been convicted of offenses involving operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant from being eligible for a driver's license without providing proof of compliance with the ignition interlock law; and

(2) Prohibit a person from driving for two years if the person is convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and cannot have an ignition interlock device installed or is unable to drive during the revocation period.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, Smart Start LLC, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, Casanova Powell Consulting, Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Responsibility.org, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that an ignition interlock device prevents a driver from driving if a certain amount of alcohol is detected. Ignition interlock devices are the only technology available to physically prohibit an offender from driving with alcohol in the offender's system. These devices are effective in preventing persons from reoffending, in contrast to other technologies or programs that do not directly prevent an offender from operating the offender's vehicle.

Your Committee additionally finds that ensuring that offenders have complied with ignition interlock device requirements or extending the period during which the devices must be installed will protect the public from offenders that risk the health and safety of themselves and others while driving under the influence of an intoxicant. This measure ensures that offenders demonstrate that they are responsible before being provided with the full privilege of driving.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1884, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1884, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair