STAND. COM. REP. NO.  543-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1814

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1814 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to strengthen public safety by requiring that an ignition interlock device not have recorded a negative report for ninety consecutive days before it can be removed.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from a member of the Maui County Council, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, Smart Start LLC, Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, Traffic Injury Research Foundation, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Transportation, and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

 

     Your Committee finds that the only way to stop an intoxicated driver from operating a motor vehicle is to install an ignition interlock device on the vehicle that the driver operates during a license revocation period.  An ignition interlock device is the single most effective tool available to physically stop a person from driving under the influence of alcohol and this serves as the best mechanism to enhance public safety.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting its contents;

 

     (2)  Establishing a system of graduated penalties for violations of, and requiring proof of compliance with, the ignition interlock law; and

 

     (3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     Your Committee respectfully requests that should your Committee on Judiciary hear this measure, it:

 

(1)    Address concerns that persons convicted of driving while intoxicated may simply wait out the revocation period of their driver's license without ever installing an ignition interlock device;

 

(2)    Consider extending revocation periods for driver's licenses;

 

(3)    Examine whether a person's driver's license can be administratively recovered; and

 

(4)    Review probation as a way for persons convicted of driving while intoxicated to comply with the law.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1814, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1814, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair