STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2992

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2851

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2851, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEAF INDIVIDUALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize deaf motor vehicle owners to register their vehicle as being owned by a deaf individual so that a deafness designation appears when a law enforcement officer accesses the motor vehicle's information.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that when an individual is involved in a traffic stop, it is of the utmost importance that the individual be able to communicate effectively with the law enforcement officer conducting the traffic stop. For deaf individuals, traffic stops constitute a challenging environment to navigate due to ambient noise or visual obstructions that prevent the individual from lipreading the officer. In some circumstances, the law enforcement officer may perceive the deaf individual as being uncooperative; in reality, the individual being stopped simply does not understand what is being asked of them. This measure will authorize deaf motor vehicle owners to register their vehicle as being owned by a deaf individual so that law enforcement officers are aware of the individual's disability status, preventing misunderstandings during traffic stops and enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2851, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair