STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1174-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2020

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 H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 1, 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:

(1) Require certain applicants for driver's license renewal to complete an educational course that includes a road safety video developed by the Department of Transportation, along with a written examination; and

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii continues to face preventable roadway injuries and fatalities, many of which are linked to driver unawareness of current traffic laws or outdated driver education, roadway designs, and multimodal transportation environments. Your Committee further finds that requiring a refresher course and written assessment for drivers with recent violations can help ensure that motorists remain aware of safety practices and legal changes that occur between renewal cycles. This measure strengthens statewide road safety and promotes safer interactions among motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required an applicant to be tested on their knowledge of any changes in state traffic laws;

(2) Codifying language that authorizes the Department of Transportation to develop and implement a system to randomly require applicants for renewal to complete a written examination, rather than placing it in session law; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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 H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair