Hawaii House Bill HR187

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct An Audit Of The Honolulu Police Department; City And County Of Honolulu Department Of Customer Services, Motor Vehicle, Licensing, And Permits Division; And District Court Of The First Circuit.

Impact

The resolution's impact could lead to significant changes within local government operations related to vehicle ownership records and traffic enforcement practices. By uncovering systemic issues, the audit would enable comprehensive recommendations to refine current processes and reduce the incidence of wrongful citations. Importantly, it could align court protocols with the Department of Motor Vehicles, streamlining the communication and processing of ownership transfers, thereby enhancing procedural accuracy.

Summary

House Resolution 187 (HR187) requests an audit of processes associated with traffic citation default judgments related to ownership transfers of vehicles. The bill arises from reports of individuals inadvertently receiving traffic citations for vehicles they no longer own, leading to default judgments against them despite following legal procedures to notify authorities of ownership changes. The resolution aims to investigate the procedural failings that cause such discrepancies, identifying points where human error may result in injustice.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HR187 may revolve around the accountability of various departments involved in the process, including the Honolulu Police Department and the District Court. There may be concerns regarding the allocation of resources to conduct the audit and implement improvements based on findings. Stakeholders could express differing opinions on the necessity, scope, and potential repercussions of the audit aimed at transparency and accountability in government operations.