STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1626-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2729

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2729, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to make operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device a traffic infraction subject to a fine of:

 

     (1)  Not less than $250, to be deposited into the State Highway Fund; and

 

     (2)  $400, to be paid to the Director of Finance, for operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device in a school zone or construction area.

 

     The Honolulu Police Department; Hawaii Bicycling League; Kauai Path, Inc.; and several concerned individuals supported the bill.  The Department of Transportation and a concerned individual opposed the measure.

 

     Your Committee recognizes that some ambiguity exists regarding what is specifically required to obtain federal highway funds from the United States Department of Transportation, exactly how the State currently fails to comply with such requirements, and how much money the State would receive from compliance with the unspecified requirements.  Your Committee respectfully encourages further discussion of these concerns as this measure advances through the legislative process.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2729, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair