STAND. COM. REP. NO. 339-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2526

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2526 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 operation of a vehicle without a license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Ward Village Moms and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that there is a need for a more delineated level of punishment for persons convicted of operating a vehicle without a license, particularly for habitual offenders. Your Committee specifically notes the concerns raised in testimony that current practice appears to allow unlicensed drivers to drive away after being pulled over by law enforcement. This pattern of conduct by law enforcement continues to put the safety of the public at risk.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair