STAND. COM. REP. NO. 429

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 224

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 224 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize noise control infractions to be processed under the traffic and emergency period infractions adjudication process; and

(2) Grant the district court concurrent jurisdiction over noise control infractions committed by minors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that there has been a proliferation of legitimate noise complaints across the State. In particular, noise pollution has grown, especially in urban areas, with noise complaints most prevalent during the late evening or early morning hours. However, presently, there are no ordinances designated as noise control infractions. This measure establishes a means to enforce noise control infractions by expanding the existing adjudication process that is used for traffic and emergency period infractions to ensure peace within Hawaii's communities. Your Committee acknowledges the testimony of the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, which notes that the infractions established by this measure could be effectuated quickly and efficiently. Your Committee therefore requests that your Committee on Judiciary consider this testimony should it decide to hear this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 224, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 224, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair