STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3326

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 469

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 469, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Disability and Communication Access Board to issue a disability travel placard to an applicant who has a valid removeable windshield placard and provides proof of travel.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that when many individuals with a disability who rely on removable windshield placards travel off island, they often must choose between leaving their placard behind in their vehicles to retain access to accessible parking where the vehicle is parked, or bringing it with them to use accessible parking at their destination, creating unnecessary hardship that can limit independence, safety, and community access. This issue is especially significant in the State, where inter-island travel is not a luxury, but a regular part of life. By authorizing a time-limited disability travel placard, this measure provides a simple solution that preserves access to accessible parking both at home and while traveling, promoting continuity of accommodations, reducing stress on families and caregivers, and supporting the ability of people with disabilities to move freely between islands without losing critical supports.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to clarify that an applicant who has a disabled paid parking exemption permit but does not have a valid special license plate, is eligible for a disability travel placard;

(2) Amending the definition of "disability travel placard" to include a person with a disability who has a disabled paid parking exemption permit but does not have a valid special license plate; and

(3) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 469, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 469, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair