STAND. COM. REP. NO. 212-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2033

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. 2033 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require sellers and licensed dealers to ensure that a motor vehicle is equipped with a front number plate mounting bracket or device;

(2) Require a licensed dealer or owner to securely fasten number plates on vehicles;

(3) Amend existing laws relating to street racing, including increasing penalties;

(4) Expand the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program to high-risk locations of state or county highways, as determined by the Department of Transportation;

(5) Appropriate funds for the expansion of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program;

(6) Authorize the counties to use automatic license plate recognition systems to identify vehicles without valid inspection or registration certificates and issue citations with fines waivable if compliance is demonstrated;

(7) Establish data privacy and retention requirements for the automatic license plate recognition systems;

(8) Authorize the counties, in coordination with the Department of Transportation, to use red light and speed camera systems for enforcement of the automatic license plate recognition systems;

(9) Authorize and appropriate funds for the installation of cameras on the stop arm of a school bus to record footage for evidence of a violation for passing or overtaking a school bus while the bus is stopped and its visual signals are turned on; and

(10) Amend the fines for passing or overtaking a school bus while the bus is stopped and its visual signals are turned on.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Education; and Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that dangerous driving behaviors, such as illegal street racing, operating unregistered or unsafe vehicles, and failing to stop for school buses, continue to endanger lives and strain enforcement efforts across the State. Existing laws and penalties have not kept pace with the tools and technology available to address these violations. This measure adopts a comprehensive strategy to enhance roadway safety by increasing penalties for racing and related reckless driving, allowing for expanded use of automated speed enforcement in high-risk areas, and authorizing the counties to deploy automatic license plate recognition systems to identify vehicles without valid registration or safety inspection. Additionally, this measure permits the installation of stop-arm cameras on school buses to deter and document violations when drivers unlawfully pass stopped buses. Collectively, this measure aims to reduce hazardous behavior, increase compliance, and strengthen public safety infrastructure statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing the Department of Transportation to consult with the Judiciary regarding the implementation of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program, under certain conditions;

(2) Clarifying that the review or collection of evidence by a camera installed on a stop arm of a school bus shall not capture identifiable images of students or violate other student privacy obligations;

(3) Specifying that the Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Safety Office shall be responsible for administering the Photo Red Light Imaging Detector Systems Program Special Fund and Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund;

(4) Clarifying language relating to photo red light enforcement, automated speed enforcement, and related penalty provisions;

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

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

Your Committee further requests the Department of Transportation to:

(1) Consider the appropriation amounts necessary for the expanded implementation of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program and installation of cameras on the stop arm of school buses; and

(2) Deliberate with the Department of Education regarding:

(A) Whether the term "stop arm" requires a definition;

(B) Whether the provisions that outline visual signal requirements sufficiently address the placement and function of the stop arm;

(C) The feasibility and legal authority to install and affix camera systems on school buses that are privately owned and operated under contract; and

(D) The fiscal and legal implications for appropriating funds to the Department of Education for camera installations, given that the majority of school buses are owned by private contractors.

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. 2033, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2033, 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