STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1117-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2993

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 2993 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to align the State's commercial driver's license qualification standards with federal regulations by repealing language related to medical waivers due to diabetes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Hawaii Transportation Association.

Your Committee finds that an amendment to federal regulations removed the requirement for commercial driver's license holders, who are treating diabetes mellitus with insulin, to obtain a medical waiver in addition to their periodic medical examination. According to the Department of Transportation, rather than continue to require a waiver, the medical examiner who examines the driver will confer with the driver's treating clinician, evaluate the driver's medical records, and decide whether the driver's medical condition will have an adverse effect on the person's ability to drive safely. If the driver satisfies the medical requirements, a medical examiner's certificate with no indication of a waiver will be issued to the driver. However, if the driver does not meet the requirements, a certificate will not be issued. This measure will align state law with current federal regulations and expedite the certification process for those commercial driver's license holders who are treating diabetes with insulin.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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. 2993, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2993, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair