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:
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,
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____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair |
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