SR 151 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP ON LOWERING THE LEGAL LIMIT OF BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION TO 0.05 GRAMS OF ALCOHOL PER ONE HUNDRED MILLILITERS OF BLOOD WITH THE INTENT OF PRIORITIZING SAFETY AND SAVING LIVES ON HAWAII'S ROADS.

Senate Resolution 151 urges Hawaii's Department of Transportation to establish a working group to study lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers from the current level to 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. The working group, including representatives from law enforcement, public safety offices, and the alcohol industry, will analyze traffic fatality data, economic impacts on businesses, and public awareness strategies. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026, including potential legislation for a BAC limit change. This resolution does not change current law but initiates a review process to inform future decisions on road safety.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics: Traffic Safety

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 3, 2025

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What changed between versions

SR151 → SR151_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was expanded from a simple request to create a working group into a more comprehensive resolution that includes specific instructions on what the group must study and who should be included. The scope was broadened to include representatives from all counties and additional stakeholders like the National Transportation Safety Board, restaurants, and alcohol establishments. The working group now has explicit directives to examine economic impacts, public awareness strategies, and phased implementation approaches before making recommendations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from requesting a working group to establishing detailed requirements for the group's composition, study parameters, and reporting obligations.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific directives for the working group to examine alcohol-related fatality data, economic impacts on businesses, and public awareness strategies.

Changed the working group composition from a fixed list of five members to a more inclusive structure with additional invited participants.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded working group membership to include representatives from all county prosecuting attorneys, the National Transportation Safety Board, restaurants, and alcohol establishments.

ADDED

Added a preamble statement emphasizing the intent to prioritize safety and save lives on Hawaii's roads.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 3, 2025

Senate · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1).

Apr 2, 2025

Senate · Reported by committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1617) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

Apr 1, 2025

Senate · Reported by committee

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

Mar 28, 2025

Senate · Reported by committee

The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 04-01-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

Mar 12, 2025

Senate · Referred to committee

Referred to TCA.

Mar 7, 2025

Senate · Introduced

Offered.

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors