STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1059

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 601

       H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 601, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRAFFIC CODE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the statewide traffic code to allow for the county chiefs of police to designate county employees to issue citations for traffic violations.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Kaua‘i, National Tropical Botanical Garden, and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL‑CIO.

 

     Your Committee finds that due to the shortage of police officers in every county, enforcement of special no stopping, standing, or parking zones throughout the State is very limited.  Unlike the Department of Transportation Airport and Harbor Divisions, the Highway Division does not have an enforcement branch and relies on county police departments to enforce traffic and safety violations.  This measure will provide additional persons with the authority to issue traffic citations, thereby improving traffic safety in the State.

 

     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 H.B. No. 601, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair