STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1790

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 346

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 346, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide flexibility in the use of sirens by authorized emergency vehicles in certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that while the use of sirens by emergency vehicles is vital to respond to emergencies, the use of sirens is not always mandatory or necessary. However, your Committee further finds that existing law does not provide emergency responders flexibility as to when sirens should be used. Your Committee believes that allowing emergency responders to use their discretion as to whether or not the use of sirens is necessary will alleviate noise pollution and reduce any unnecessary disturbance of residents and visitors of the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 346, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair