STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2466

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2686

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 2686 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DRIVER EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require information on organ and tissue donation to be included in the curriculum for the statewide driver education program and behind-the-wheel driver training program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Legacy of Life Hawaii and six individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation.

     Your Committee finds that this measure could save lives.  The license application includes the question, "Do you wish to be an organ donor?"  This bill ensures students can make an informed choice in answering that question.  By integrating information regarding organ and tissue donation into the driver education curriculum, students are provided with accurate facts early on in life which not only prepares them to make an informed choice when applying for their driver's permit or license, but it also brings the conversation home so that family members' wishes are better understood.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Energy that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2686 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair