STAND. COM. REP. NO. 242

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 989

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 989 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit trespass with an unmanned aircraft system, with exceptions; and

(2) Establish a penalty.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Honolulu Tower Association of Apartment owners and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly called drones, has led to privacy and public safety concerns for individuals, especially when drones are flown over private property. Presently, the State does not adequately address these situations that involve trespassing on private property with a drone. To protect the individual privacy of all people, prohibiting drone operation over private property, under certain circumstances, may help to address health, safety, and privacy concerns.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 989 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair