STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1398

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 118

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 118 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that each county may, by ordinance, designate certain sections of county highways as areas in which stopping, standing, or parking vehicles is prohibited or restricted.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Maui County Council, and Hawai‘i State Association of Counties. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that Act 250, Session Laws of 2019, established the State Highway Enforcement Program after a surge in unsafe and hazardous problems caused by illegal parking. Additionally, vehicles that stop, stand, or park on highways may create hazards for other drivers, emergency services or law enforcement personnel, and pedestrians. This measure authorizes the counties to utilize the State Highway Enforcement Program to protect all roadway users across the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by clarifying that a federal or state agency authorizing a road closure shall supersede a county ordinance.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 118, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 118, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair