A ban on the frequently used fundraising practice of extending dip nets to idling motorists was deferred by a House committee yesterday and is unlikely to come up again unless revived in the Senate.

Citing a need to crack down on youth sports teams and other charities that have increasingly turned to soliciting donations at intersections and on roadway medians during fundraising drives, the House Transportation Committee was considering a bill that would have banned the practice.

"You have kids out there with the fish nets. You see sports teams on the side of the road and just about anyone who wants to make money," said State Rep. Marilyn Lee, D-38th (Mililani, Mililani Mauka). "It's really very dangerous."

While the committee yesterday deferred action, Rep. Joseph Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Waihe'e, Waiehu), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said it is unlikely to come up again unless revived in the Senate.

"We felt that it was best to continue this (fundraising practice)," said Souki. "The bill is important to a lot of groups for fundraising. We felt that this is needed as a fundraising tool."

Members of the community had reached out to lawmakers, saying the fundraising efforts were distracting and dangerous, and some questioned what children who participate are being taught about raising money for good causes.

"What is the message that these children are learning? I am sure there are very good intentions by the organizations, clubs that are trying to raise funds this way," said Diane Terada, a division administrator at Catholic Charities Hawai'i, who testified as a private citizen. "I do not feel that allowing children to beg for money from strangers is teaching them a constructive way of earning money. This is one form of fundraising I simply refuse to support, as I feel there is no reason that children and teenagers should be put at risk on our roads."

Several charities told the committee that enacting the law would significantly hinder fundraising opportunities.

The Hawaii Foodbank said its food-drive day in April uses 3,000 volunteers who accept donations from motorists across the state at eight O'ahu locations, and sites on the Neighbor Islands and on military bases.

"This bill would ban our annual food drive efforts. Our operations would be severely impacted if we were unable to conduct our activities in the community on food-drive day," said Linda Chu Takayama, chairwoman of the Hawaii Foodbank, in her testimony to the committee.

The Hawaii Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association said the bill would hinder their Fill-the-Boot fundraising campaign that brings in $50,000 to $70,000 every Labor Day weekend.

"The Fill-the-Boot program involves trained firefighters who know and understand public safety, soliciting donations from motorists as they are stopped at intersections," said Audrey Hirayama, MDA's district director, in her testimony to the committee.

"The association obtains permits for street and highway usage as well as provides certificates of insurance for both the city and state. I understand the concerns and assure the current rules are and will continue to be followed."