STAND. COM. REP. NO.  363

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1007

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1007 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER LICENSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to improve highway and public safety by enabling Hawaii residents who meet the qualifications for a driver's license or instructional permit, other than the minimum documentary requirements under the REAL ID Act, to obtain uniquely identified limited purpose driver's licenses, provisional driver's licenses, and instruction permits as long as the resident provides satisfactory proof of identity and state residency.

 

     The American Civil Liberties Union, Hawaii Coalition for Immigration Reform, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, Filipino American Citizens League, Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, PHOCUSED, National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12, American Immigration Lawyers Association-Hawaii Chapter, HealthyPacific.org, Nursing Advocates & Mentors, Inc., and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Transportation supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Insurers Council provided comments.

 


     Under the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-13, states are required to comply with federally mandated eligibility criteria in issuing driver's licenses, including requiring proof of lawful presence in the United States.  As a consequence, an individual who does not submit satisfactory evidence of lawful presence cannot legally operate a motor vehicle.  These heightened documentary requirements unduly burden elderly individuals, houseless individuals, undocumented immigrants, lawfully-present nonimmigrants, and survivors of gender-based violence.  Furthermore, the lack of access to licensure hinders the ability of these residents, regardless of their status, to drive safely, legally, and with mandatory motor vehicle insurance while engaging in everyday activities such as going to work or to church, running errands, or dropping-off children at school.

 

     Your Committee finds, however, that the REAL ID Act does allow states to issue specialized driver's licenses that are not subject to the minimum documentary requirements for limited non-federal purposes and that the issuance of such licenses will assist all residents of Hawaii and improve public safety.

 

     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. 1007 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair