STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1055-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2526

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2526, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase penalties for certain offenses relating to the unauthorized driving or operation of a vehicle without a license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that unlicensed drivers make up a disproportionately large percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes. This measure would implement stricter penalties for these drivers with the goal of preventing crash fatalities and injuries in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a preamble;

(2) Amending the penalty for certain offenses related to the unauthorized driving or operation of a vehicle without a license to provide that for the third or subsequent offense within a five-year period:

(A) The person is guilty of a class C felony – the maximum penalties for which includes a $10,000 fine and five years imprisonment; and

(B) The court, as part of the person's sentencing, is authorized to order the vehicle used by the person in the commission of the offense to be subject to forfeiture;

(3) Deleting language that would have amended the penalties for the offense of operating a vehicle after license and privilege have been suspended or revoked for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant;

(4) Changing the effective date to January 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2526, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2526, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair