Honolulu, Hawaii
H.D. 1
Speaker, House of Representatives
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2750 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MONETARY OBLIGATIONS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the imposition of restrictions on a person's ability to obtain or renew a driver's license or to register, renew the registration of, or transfer or receive title to a motor vehicle, as a consequence of unpaid monetary obligations. This measure is not intended to affect driver's license suspensions related to excessive speeding, lack of motor vehicle insurance, or non-compliance with a child support order.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the state Office of the Public Defender, County of Kauai Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Pono Hawaii Initiative, Young Progressives Demanding Action, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments from the Judiciary.
Your Committee finds that the inability to obtain or renew a driver's license for unpaid debt has the counterproductive effect of pushing individuals further into debt. The American Bar Association recently adopted guidelines on preventing fines and fees that penalize poverty, and this measure will address that inequity.
According to testimony presented by the Office of the Public Defender and Kauai County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, this measure will reduce the number of Hawaii residents criminalized due to poverty, reduce the burden on their offices' District Court staff, and allow for office resources to be invested on cases that impact public safety. Your Committee supports these outcomes.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
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. 2750, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2750, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
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HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair |
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