STAND. COM. REP. NO. 663-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1588

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1588 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Noise Detection Camera Program in the Department of Transportation for the installation of noise detection cameras for the enforcement of noise control laws.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; one member of the Honolulu City Council; Springboard Hospitality; Citizens Against Noise; Hawaii Medical Service Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that excessive traffic noise in urban areas has become an increasing concern for residents, negatively impacting public health, quality of life, and community well-being. Despite existing noise control laws and applicable county ordinances, enforcement remains challenging due to limited real-time monitoring and documentation capabilities. By leveraging technology to enhance enforcement, this measure establishes a Noise Detection Camera Program within the Department of Transportation to install and administer noise detection traffic cameras in appropriate urban areas, promoting accountability and collaboration and providing a data-driven approach to reducing excessive traffic noise statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Transportation shall collaborate with the Department of Health on procedures to implement the Noise Detection Camera Program, rather than enforcing violations of noise pollution under the State's noise pollution law;

(2) Specifying that the Director of Transportation shall adopt rules that include appropriate noise decibel thresholds;

(3) Including an appropriation of an unspecified amount for the Department of Transportation to administer the Noise Detection Camera Program;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests the Department of Transportation to clarify cost estimates to implement the Noise Detection Camera Program and provide that information to the Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure.

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. 1588, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1588, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair