STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2165-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 145

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.C.R. No. 145 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD IMPLEMENT A DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation to:

(1) Convene a task force to evaluate whether the State should implement a demerit point system for traffic violations; and

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2028.

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

Your Committee finds that enhancing public safety and promoting responsible driving are critical to the well-being of all residents in the State. However, the recent increase in traffic incidents resulting in serious injury or death highlights the need for more effective tools to deter dangerous driving behaviors. This measure requests the Department of Transportation to convene a task force to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a demerit point system for traffic violations, a tool used successfully in other states to reduce recidivism and improve driver accountability.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 145 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair