Legislators delay talks
on traffic cameras billSome senators say they
do not care for the proposal
A proposal to allow the counties to use fixed cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners appears to be screeching to a halt in the state Legislature.
During a meeting for House and Senate conferees to work out their differences on Senate Bill 2344, SD1, HD2 yesterday, senators said they do not care for the proposal, and delayed discussion until next week.
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& Hawaii Revised StatutesSenate Transportation Chairman Cal Kawamoto (D, Pearl City-Waipahu) suggested discussions on the bill be delayed.
"Until when?" asked Sen. Melodie Aduja (D, Kaneohe-Kahuku).
Sen. Brian Taniguchi (D, Moiliili-Manoa) suggested May 10, four days after the legislative session is scheduled to end.
Kawamoto told House Transportation Chairman Joe Souki (D, Kahakuloa-Kahului) that the Senate is deferring discussion on the bill and attempted to move on to another bill on the agenda.
"Wait a minute," Souki said. "I understand there are some concerns. Are we wasting our time or not?"
Kawamoto said senators in the Democratic caucus had concerns about the proposal.
Souki agreed to put off discussion on the bill until Wednesday.
Souki introduced the proposal because of a rash of traffic deaths due to racing and speeding on Hawaii roadways this year, even though he expressed doubt about its chances for passage.
Lawmakers killed the infamous "van cam" program two years ago after public outcry over the way it was implemented. Many of the lawmakers who voted to repeal the program to use cameras to catch speeders are still in the Legislature.
