STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3106

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1696

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1696, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Lower the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen;

(2) Repeal the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State; and

(3) Require the Department of Transportation to amend its rules to lower the minimum age required for a commercial driver's license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiian Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that lowering the minimum age for an intrastate commercial driver's license would allow qualified young adults to enter the commercial driving field sooner, supporting career development, skill-building, and long-term workforce retention. Additionally, expanding the pool of qualified drivers will support intrastate freight movement, supply chains, and essential services. This measure will promote the expansion of the State's commercial driving workforce without compromising road safety.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1696, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair