HB 1963 Summary

• Amends Chapter 342F, Hawaii Revised Statutes to designate helicopter noise exceeding a specified decibel level (using dBC weighting system for bass sound) as a public nuisance and noise pollution violation.

• Permits the Department of Environmental Quality to accept decibel readings collected by complainants as evidence of violations.

• Establishes civil fines of no less than a specified amount for first offenses and a higher amount for subsequent offenses against helicopter owners or operators.

• Creates a private right of action allowing affected individuals to sue helicopter owners or operators in district court for injunctive relief and damages (either actual damages multiplied by a specified factor or a set minimum amount per violation, plus attorney's fees and court costs).

• Exempts helicopters owned or operated by government agencies, those providing emergency services (aeromedical or search and rescue), and all helicopters operating within a specified mile radius of airports from liability under this section.