STAND. COM. REP. NO.  316-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.B. No. 2604

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2604 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve the integrity and security of State-issued driver licenses and identification cards by aligning State law with the requirements of the REAL ID Act.  Specifically, this bill extends the maximum term of a commercial driver's license (CDL) for persons 21 years through 71 years of age, from six years to eight years. 

     This bill also appropriates $8,000 out of the State Highway Fund to implement the extension.

     The Department of Transportation, City and County of Honolulu, and Hawaii Transportation Association testified in support of this bill.

     Your Committee notes that the intent of the proposed change is to prepare for the REAL ID Act, which is a nationwide effort to improve the integrity and security of State-issued driver licenses and identification cards with the objective of fighting terrorism and reducing fraud.  The validity period for a REAL ID driver license cannot exceed eight years.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the two-year term for older drivers does not apply to licenses that are suspended or canceled, as well as revoked; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for 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 H.B. No. 2604, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2604, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair