HONOLULU (KHON2) — A bill seeking to increase penalties for repeat unauthorized drivers is on the chopping block as Governor Josh Green recently released a list of bills he intends to veto.
The bill proposed to penalize drivers committing the same offense three times with a class C felony, which is currently a misdemeanor.
“I told the governor this bill is really important because we need to address public safety,” said Saiki. “This bill rose from a really tragic incident where a girl was run over in a crosswalk by a repeat unlicensed driver.”
Yara’s death prompted many in the community to call for more enforcement and penalties for those drivers violating the laws.
According to the governor’s reason for vetoing the bill, the proposal would increase caseloads without providing additional funding.
Saiki said, “If this bill is vetoed we would definitely be something we would consider seriously to come back to override.”
Although Sara Yara’s mother, Chevy Saniatan, has been vocal about the bill in question. She has had her concerns about the proposed penalties falling short.
Saniatan said, “I’m fighting to make the law a lot stronger than what it is today.”
She said if the bill gets vetoed, she will come back next year on a mission to prevent another death.
Saniatan said, “I don’t want my daughter to be forgotten because this could have been prevented if only our law were a little bit stricter.”
Governor Green has until July 10 to issue final vetoes. It would take a special session and a two-thirds vote in each chamber to override the veto.