THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2521

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature understands that requiring first responders to obtain commercial driver's licenses to operate authorized commercial vehicles is not in the best interest of public safety, because first responders receive training provided by federal, state, and county government agencies that would satisfy this requirement.  Imposing this requirement would only serve to create an administrative hurdle for first responders and hinder the performance of their vital public safety functions.

     The legislature finds that although emergency medical service personnel, who may be assigned to operate vehicles which are classified as commercial motor vehicles in the performance of essential public safety functions, receive the same levels of rigorous training, they are still required to obtain commercial driver's licenses, which slows down hiring, raises costs, and creates administrative hurdles for emergency medical services departments across the State.

     The legislature further finds that exempting qualified emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements may help to alleviate barriers to recruitment and retention, and streamline essential functions, while maintaining public safety standards.

     The legislature also finds that the current definition for "authorized emergency vehicle" in the Hawaii Revised Statutes is insufficient, in that it does not include alternative emergency service vehicles utilized by emergency medical service departments in the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Exempt emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements, similar to other licensed first responders operating in the State; and

     (2)  Amend the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" in section 291C-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to clarify that all vehicles operated by licensed emergency services personnel, not just ambulances, are included in the definition.

     SECTION 2.  Section 286-235.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§286-235.5  Persons exempt from licensure.  The following persons shall be exempt from licensure under this part:

     (1)  Individuals who operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes.  This exception is limited to active-duty military personnel, members of the military reserves, members of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time national guard training, and national guard military technicians (civilians who are required to wear military uniforms), and active-duty United States Coast Guard personnel.  This exception is not applicable to United States reserve technicians; and

     (2)  Federal, state, and county firefighters, emergency services personnel, and law enforcement officers who drive federal, state, or county fire trucks, including fire pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, and elevated platform trucks, or authorized emergency vehicles; provided that they are trained by the federal, state, or county government and the commercial motor vehicles are equipped with audible and visual signals and are not subject to normal traffic regulation.  For purposes of this paragraph, "authorized emergency vehicle" shall have the same meaning as in section 291C-1."

     SECTION 3.  Section 291C-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to read as follows:

     ""Authorized emergency vehicle" includes fire department vehicles, police vehicles, [ambulances,] emergency medical services vehicles, ocean safety vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, conservation and resources enforcement vehicles, and office of the state fire marshal vehicles authorized and approved pursuant to section 291-31.5 that are publicly owned and other publicly or privately owned vehicles designated as such by a county council."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

By Request

 

 

Report Title:

City and County of Honolulu Mayor's Package; Commercial Driver's License Exemption; Emergency Medical Services Personnel; Authorized Emergency Vehicle

 

Description:

Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements.  Amends the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.