STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2337

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2158

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2158 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE USE OF SIRENS BY EMERGENCY VEHICLES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide flexibility in the use of sirens by emergency response vehicles in certain circumstances.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the use of sirens by emergency vehicles can be necessary to alert other vehicles and pedestrians that the emergency vehicle is exercising its authority to disregard certain traffic laws, such as proceeding through a red light or exceeding the posted speed limit.  Some emergency response sectors have determined that there should be flexibility to not engage the siren in situations where it is unnecessary, such as responding at night when the streets are empty of cars and pedestrians.  Further, the City and County of Honolulu has expressed in its ordinances that the siren should be used "as may be reasonably necessary".  Your Committee notes that the unnecessary use of a siren contributes to noise pollution, especially in heavily-congested residential areas.  This measure will allow the State to reduce noise pollution by allowing emergency response vehicles to not use sirens if the siren is not reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2158 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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair