Legislature split State House and Senate leaders are on a collision course over the fate of the controversial traffic camera project after the House approved a bill last night that would revise the program but keep it alive.
on van cams
A House bill would revamp
the program, which the
Senate wants to killBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comAlso expected to be highly debated is a House bill sent last night to the Senate that raises the speed limit on state-owned roads and highways to 65 mph from 55 mph.
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After about an hour of debate yesterday, the House approved a measure that makes major changes to the traffic camera program. The changes include banning auto insurance companies from increasing a motorist's premiums because of a speeding ticket issued by the program.The state Senate, meanwhile, is poised to send to the House on Tuesday its own version, which repeals it.
"First and foremost, our responsibility's the protection of the citizenry," said House Transportation Chairman Joe Souki (D, Wailuku), who supports major changes to the law.
In January the state began its controversial program of using camera vans to ticket motorists caught speeding on state roads. Opponents complain that the program is just a moneymaking operation and has many flaws, while proponents say it promotes safety by slowing traffic.
Before last night's vote on House Bill 2167, House Draft 1, House Democrats successfully fought off a Republican effort to amend the measure so it mirrors the Senate's repeal of the traffic camera law.
Several minority legislators argued that public outcry over the program has transferred to state government, and alluded that individual legislators may be affected by that frustration when it comes to this fall's elections.
House Minority Floor Leader Charles Djou (R, Kaneohe) said the traffic camera program is an unreasonable intrusion by government and that the public has lost confidence in the system. Others said the program does not improve traffic safety because drivers do not react the same way as they would do if they were pulled over by a police officer for speeding.
"There's no safety in getting a ticket in mail," said state Rep. Mark Moses (R, Kapolei). "Let's do something for safety, not for revenue."
State Rep. Jim Rath (R, South Kohala) added that the outrage is because the cameras are not operated by law enforcement officers, but rather a private company that is making a profit off the tickets.
What's more, Rath said, state transportation officials testified that these camera operators are being paid wages comparable to police officers'. If that is the case, he said, then the state should hire more law enforcement officers.
But House Transportation Vice Chairman Willie Espero (D, Ewa Beach) said that since the Senate wants to repeal the program, the House should keep alive a bill that makes major changes to it.
Such strategy is needed for legislators because of concern that Gov. Ben Cayetano, who supports changes to the traffic camera program, may veto a bill that repeals it, Espero said.
As approved yesterday, House Bill 2167 replaces the current law governing the traffic camera project with a new law addressing problems raised by the public.
The measure, for example, requires the contractor be paid a negotiated flat fee rather than a fee based on the number or percentage of summonses or citations issued.
The bill also requires that pictures be taken of the driver as well as the license plates. Finally, the state Department of Transportation would be required to place these traffic camera vans in priority areas where the greatest number of speed-related accidents and fatalities occur.
Souki said these changes will help keep alive a program that has proved in other states that it reduces traffic accidents. State Rep. Michael Magaoay (D, North Shore) said the traffic cameras can help save lives. "Let's give this program a chance," he said.
The House also passed a bill last night that increases the speed limits on state roads.
House Bill 1729, House Draft 1, sets the maximum freeway speeds at 65 mph, up from 55 mph, and through highway speeds at 45 mph, up from 35 mph.
The measure is an attempt by lawmakers to address public concerns that the speed limits should be raised if the traffic camera program remains alive.
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