STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1158

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 334

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 334, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OPERATING A VEHICLE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN INTOXICANT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish a state drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory special fund, to be administered by the Department of Health;

 

     (2)  Deposit into the special fund fines imposed on offenders convicted of certain offenses involving operation of a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant; and

 

     (3)  Require expenditure reports to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Hawaii Strategic Highway Safety Plan, City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Honolulu Police Department, County of Maui Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Maui Police Department, County of Kauai Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

 

     Your Committee finds that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol continues to be a major safety issue in the State.  However, the prosecution of arrested and suspected drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol is costly because blood and urine samples for drug analyses are sent to mainland laboratories for analysis.  Your Committee further finds that in addition to being costly, this process is also lengthy and can result in case dismissals.  This measure establishes a special fund to sustain a drug and alcohol laboratory in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 334, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 334, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair