STAND. COM. REP. NO. 569

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 645

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 645 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require that the revocation of license period for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant be tolled for any period in which the person does not have an ignition interlock device installed on a vehicle owned or operated by the person;

 

     (2)  Establish requirements for the removal of the ignition interlock device; and

 

     (3)  Allow a defendant to enroll or participate in an alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program or a sobriety program prior to conviction, which may count toward satisfying any mandatory enrollment or participation later ordered by the court.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation; Smart Start, LLC; Hawaii Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility; and one member of the City Council of the City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from SCRAM Systems.

 

     Your Committee finds that operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant is unlawful and extremely dangerous.  Your Committee further finds that the State's ignition interlock program places ignition interlock systems on vehicles owned and operated by persons who have been convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.  Your Committee additionally finds that it is sometimes possible for offenders to regain their driving privileges before an interlock device is actually installed on their vehicle.  This measure will strengthen the interlock ignition program by requiring compliance with the program prior to removal of an interlock device and allowing courts the option of utilizing a sobriety program or education or treatment program.

 

     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. 645 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