STAND. COM. REP. NO. 129

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 282

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 282 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNCREWED AIRCRAFT OFFENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the penalty for using an uncrewed aircraft in the furtherance of the commission of a felony.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu and one member of the Kauai County Council.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that with the increasing use of uncrewed aircraft, also known as drones, for recreation, there has also been an increased use of drones to commit and enable a felony. While there is existing statute that classifies the use of an uncrewed aircraft to commit a felony as a class C felony, this statute downgrades any felony of a higher sentence committed with the use of an uncrewed aircraft. Accordingly, this measure will provide for proper penalties for severe felonies committed with this type of emerging technology.

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. 282 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