STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1940

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 43

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 43, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF A HIGHWAY PATROL AND THE INSTALLATION OF SPEED CAMERAS ALONG MAJOR FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS IN PRIMARY AREAS OF SPEEDING, INCLUDING THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON THE DISTRICT COURTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Transportation to study the possibility of a highway patrol and the installation of speed cameras along major freeways and highways in primary areas of speeding, including the impact this measure would have on the district courts.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and one individual.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committees find that according to state traffic data, speeding continues to be the most common contributing factor in motor vehicle fatalities. Your Committees further find that while local law enforcement is currently responsible for managing driving behaviors on the State's roadways and highways, these smaller agencies often do not have the resources available to respond to each traffic safety issue within their jurisdiction. Your Committees conclude that statewide departments, along with automated speed enforcement cameras, are better equipped to effectively curb excessive and dangerous speeding.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 43, H.D. 1, and recommend that it 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 Military Affairs,

________________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair