STAND. COM. REP. NO. 665-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2020

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2020 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require applicants for driver's license renewal to complete an educational course that includes a road safety video developed by the Department of Transportation and a written examination.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; one member of the Honolulu City Council; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Customer Services for the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that roadway safety depends not only on initial driver education, but also on continued awareness of traffic laws, signage, and evolving safety standards throughout a driver's lifetime. As such, drivers may benefit from periodic refreshers to reinforce safe driving practices and ensure familiarity with updated rules of the road. Requiring completion of an online road safety video and a written examination at the time of license renewal provides an opportunity to promote ongoing education, improve knowledge of current traffic laws, and enhance overall driver competency.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the educational course requirement for driver's license renewal shall only apply to persons who received a moving violation or traffic infraction in a period of five years before renewal;

(2) Authorizing the Department of Transportation to develop and implement a system to randomly require applicants for renewal of a driver's license to complete a written examination;

(3) Requiring the Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee further requests the Department of Transportation to evaluate how the intent to operate a motor vehicle in a certain county will be verified.

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. 2020, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair