Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements. Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under the State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles, and include disaster response and recovery vehicles, Department of Health-approved vehicles, and vehicles designated as emergency vehicles by the State or an emergency management agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates moneys as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Information Technology to upgrade the driver's license and motor vehicle application systems, subject to a dollar-for-dollar match. (HD1)
Clarifies that negligent homicide in the first degree shall include situations where a person causes the death of another person while operating a vehicle without a valid license. Establishes that a violation of this provision shall be a class B felony, with escalation to a class A felony when the person has two or more prior convictions for driving without a valid license within five years. Clarifies what constitutes a prior conviction for driving without a valid license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Upgrades the penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while highly intoxicated, including outlining additional requirements for probation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
HB 2086 amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to explicitly include injuries caused by drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated. This change directly affects drivers who cause injuries due to alcohol impairment, expanding the legal definition of the offense. The key provision updates the existing statute to specifically name intoxication as a factor in negligent injury cases. The bill is currently pending introduction as of January 23, 2026.
HB 2347 requires the state transportation agency to create rules enabling mobile vehicle safety inspections, meaning inspectors could conduct checks at locations like homes or businesses instead of requiring drivers to visit fixed inspection stations. This directly affects vehicle owners who currently need to schedule in-person inspections for safety compliance. The bill’s key provision is mandating the agency to adopt these mobile inspection rules, aiming to increase convenience and accessibility for drivers.
Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for highway projects, as well as railroad, public transportation, or multimodal projects within the State, allowing streamlined environmental reviews. Provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to comply with federal requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes within the Department of Transportation a subsidized youth transit program for youth who are residents of the State, to be coordinated with the counties. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, expand eligibility, and consult with the Department of Education on best practices, under certain conditions. Establishes the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and Special Fund. Allocates funds from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Appropriates funds into and out of the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 2154 establishes a framework for using intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology, which alerts drivers when exceeding speed limits, specifically targeting habitual speeders. It directly affects drivers with repeated speeding violations by requiring their vehicles to integrate this technology. The bill mandates that the state agency implement this framework and submit a detailed report to the Legislature on its effectiveness and costs. This is a policy change focused on traffic safety technology adoption, not on new penalties or enforcement procedures.
