STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1475-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2253

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Kauaʻi Police Department; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that impaired driving continues to pose a serious threat to public safety on Hawaii's roadways. When drivers operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, their impaired judgment and reaction time significantly increase the risk of causing serious bodily injury to others. However, existing law does not clearly account for situations in which an intoxicated driver negligently causes serious injury without meeting the elements of more serious criminal offenses. By amending the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, this measure strengthens accountability and promotes safer driving behavior.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

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 S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 2, 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