HCR 96 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER MOVING TO A DEMERIT POINTS-BASED DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to consider adopting a demerit points-based driver's licensing system. It directly affects drivers by proposing a method where points are added to a license for traffic violations, similar to systems used in approximately forty states. The resolution cites high traffic fatality rates and the department's acknowledgment that most crashes stem from human behavior as reasons for this recommendation. It does not mandate the change but requests the department to evaluate implementing this system to improve road safety.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HCR96 → HCR96_HD1 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated to reflect its progression to the House of Representatives (HD1), changing the filename and metadata to indicate this new stage. The core policy text urging the Department of Transportation to adopt a demerit points system remains substantively unchanged, though the resolution language was slightly restructured for clarity. This update tracks the legislative process rather than altering the bill's actual requirements or scope.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the modifications are procedural, reflecting the document's transition to the House of Representatives.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title from 'HCR96' to 'HCR96 HD1' and associated metadata to reflect House processing.

Adjusted the resolution text formatting, splitting the 'WHEREAS' clauses and restructuring the 'BE IT RESOLVED' section for better readability without changing the legal meaning.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRS/EIG.

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 555).

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting no (2) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1892-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Cochran.

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and none excused (0).

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Committee

Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1686-26), recommending referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Cochran, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 18

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

To be offered.

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors