STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2262

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2573

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2573 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE DRIVERS LICENSE REVOCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize administrative drivers license revocation hearings to be conducted using interactive conference technology, including teleconference, videoconference, and voice over internet protocol systems; and

(2) Clarify that evidence in hearings conducted via interactive conference technology may be submitted and exchanged electronically.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary and Department of Transportation.

Your Committees find that since May 3, 2021, the vast majority of administrative drivers license revocation hearings have been conducted via Zoom. Zoom has become the hearing platform of choice because of its accessibility as all parties involved, including counsel and respondents, can attend hearings conveniently from any location. Additionally, advances in technology have allowed for the submission and exchange of both paper and video exhibits electronically, and screen sharing allows all parties to view the exhibits simultaneously, including body worn camera videos. However, existing law only provides for in‑person and telephonic hearings. Consequently, if a respondent desires a hearing over Zoom, the respondent waives their right to an in-person hearing. This measure will allow administrative drivers license revocation hearings to be held by interactive conference technology to streamline the revocation system while maintaining the integrity of the hearing process.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Labor and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2573, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2573, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Labor and Technology,

________________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair