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Committee advances funding for automated speed‑enforcement program amid public concern
Summary
The committee voted to pass HB 1166, which appropriates funds for the automated speed enforcement systems program; HDOT said contracts allow 10 existing camera locations and up to 10 additional locations per year, while a public commenter warned of long-term cost and traffic-shift concerns based on Ottawa's experience.
The Senate Committee on Transportation on March 12 recommended passage of HB 1166, a measure to appropriate funds from the state highway fund into the automated speed enforcement systems program special fund for the 2025–26 fiscal year and to make a technical fiscal‑year correction.
Robin of the Hawaii Department of Transportation said the department stands by its testimony and supports the appropriation. Deputy Director Shishito told members the current contract covers 10 automated enforcement locations and that the contract allows for up to 10 additional locations each year for the next 10 years. "So with this appropriation, it allows for that next set of 10 location intersections," Shishito said. She added that the department saw a roughly 64% reduction in major crashes in locations covered by the red‑light running cameras and that automated speed enforcement citations began in mid‑November, so speed‑camera impact data remain limited.
During public comment the committee recorded written opposition from Tamara McKay and heard in-person testimony from Pierre Lago, who said Ottawa's long-term experience with automated enforcement produced short-term speed reductions but later redistributed accidents to other locations and ultimately cost the city more than anticipated because program revenue did not offset ongoing maintenance and contract fees.
In decision making the committee adopted technical and appropriation corrections and recommended passage of HB 1166. The committee did not adopt programmatic policy changes during the hearing; it advanced the appropriation and technical amendments and reported the bill out with the recommendation to pass.
Implementation and placement of additional automated enforcement cameras would follow agency procurement, contracting and data‑driven siting decisions and remain subject to future budgeting and program evaluation.
