STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2693

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1357

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 1357 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit display of any material that distracts, obstructs the view of, or affects the safety of other drivers, including but not limited to flags, towels, sheets, and cloths, on vehicles being operated or moved on a public street, road, or highway, except when required to be displayed for loads that extend beyond the vehicle, and sets a fine for violation of this prohibition.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, Livable Honolulu, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that flags, banners, and other large cloths flown from vehicles being operated or moved on streets cause distractions and create unsafe driving conditions. The purpose of this measure is to implement a fine to discourage these unsafe practices.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the maximum size of an acceptable flag or banner is twelve inches by eighteen inches for purposes of this measure; and

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1357, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1357, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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CHRIS LEE, Chair