STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1477-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2991

S.D. 1

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. 2991, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify that persons whose driver's licenses have been revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses are required to undergo reexamination before the examiner of drivers may relicense the person; and

(2) Require a notice and order of administrative revocation to include certain information.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant poses a serious threat to public safety and warrants meaningful safeguards before driving privileges are restored. Although a person may serve a period of license revocation for certain alcohol-related offenses, restoration of a driver's license should also require the person to demonstrate renewed knowledge of the rules of the road and fitness to lawfully operate a motor vehicle. This measure clarifies that persons whose licenses have been revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses must undergo reexamination before being relicensed and requires notices of administrative revocation to clearly inform respondents of that requirement. By strengthening relicensing procedures and improving notice to affected drivers, this measure promotes accountability and supports safer roadways throughout the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Replacing certain references to "vessel" with "motor vehicle";

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

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

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. 2991, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2991, S.D. 1, 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