Bill Text: HI HB1858 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1858 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Traffic Citations; Electronic Ticketing

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-20 - (H) Referred to TRN, JUD, FIN, referral sheet 1 [HB1858 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB1858-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1858
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Prior to 2007, the San Jose Police Department issued paper citations that took three weeks to process. An electronic citation system implemented in 2007 now enables officers to issue tickets more accurately and the courts to process tickets more efficiently and expediently.

Officers using the electronic citation system carry handheld computers loaded with special software, which allows the writing of traffic tickets more quickly and reduces the error rate and redundant entries. A copy of the citation is printed on a mobile printer and issued to the driver and officers can easily upload all the citations onto a central server at the end of their shift or at a wireless access point. This data is processed and electronically sent to the Santa Clara court system.

The courts have been involved with the electronic citation system in San Jose since its inception. The system now is fully integrated for all violations heard in traffic court. Because the system coordinates court and law enforcement functions, ticket processing is streamlined and there is less risk of lost paperwork or misinterpretation of the ticket's contents. The technology significantly reduces the time spent on processing citations.

The legislature finds that the implementation of an electronic traffic citation system is a necessity in the age of high technology computerization.

The purpose of this Act is to require the development, installation, and implementation of an electronic traffic citation system.

SECTION 2. Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§291C‑ Electronic traffic citation system; established. (a) There is established an electronic traffic citation system which shall apply to all citations for traffic infractions and violations under this chapter, as well as other traffic infractions and violations as determined by each county police chief to be appropriate for an electronic traffic citation system.

(b) The department of transportation shall develop, install, and implement an electronic traffic citation system for use in each county, in collaboration with the judiciary and the police chief of the respective counties.

(c) The goal of an electronic traffic citation system shall be to streamline the issuance of traffic citations, with minimal risk of lost paperwork or misinterpretation of information written on the citation. An electronic traffic citation system shall be designed to significantly reduce the time spent on processing citations, including processing time in the traffic courts.

(d) As used in this section, the term "electronic traffic citation system" shall include the use by a police officer of a mobile or handheld computer at the scene of a traffic stop in lieu of a paper citation or other paper document."

SECTION 3. The development, installation, and implementation of an electronic traffic citation system for use in each county under this Act shall commence not later than January , , and shall be completed no later than December 31, .

SECTION 4. The department of transportation may serialize the selection of counties for the development, installation, and implementation of an electronic traffic citation system.

SECTION 5. Each county and the judiciary shall contribute proportionate funding for the development, installation, and implementation of an electronic traffic citation system; provided that the department of transportation shall seek to obtain appropriate federal funding for the development, installation, and implementation of an electronic traffic citation system; and provided further that the department of transportation shall seek an appropriation from the legislature for the development, installation, and implementation of an electronic traffic citation system.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Traffic Citations; Electronic Ticketing

Description:

Establishes an electronic traffic citation system. Requires the department of transportation to develop, install, and implement an electronic traffic citation system. Requires proportionate funding from each county and the judiciary. Requires the DOT to seek an appropriation and federal funding.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.