STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2131-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2253

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include substantial bodily injury caused by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure strengthens public safety by addressing substantial injuries caused by negligent driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Your Committee further finds that clarifying criminal liability in these circumstances promotes accountability and better reflects the severity of harm caused to victims.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that this measure is not intended to limit the availability of multiple convictions, cumulative sentences, or separate offenses otherwise permitted under law for conduct that constitutes negligent injury in the first degree; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair