STAND. COM. REP. NO.  473

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 969

 

 

 

 

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. 969 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to improve government efficiency and modernize operations by establishing a standardized maintenance fee to be collected from all driver's license applicants to support computer and software maintenance and updates for the driver licensing program.

 

     The Department of Transportation testified in support of this measure with requested amendments.

 

     In 2005, the federal government enacted the REAL ID Act of 2005, which required states to comply with federally mandated eligibility criteria in issuing driver's licenses, including requiring proof of lawful presence in the United States.  As such, outdated computers and program software within the driver's licensing program needed to be replaced.  While federal funding was used for the acquisition of computers and initial maintenance and software update costs, the State must absorb continuing costs for the purchase, maintenance, and updating of computer equipment and software, which, according to the Department of Transportation, is approximately $80,000 per year.  Giving the Director of Transportation the ability to establish a minimal maintenance fee from all driver's license applicants will help to meet the needs and demands of the driver licensing program with regard to REAL ID Act requirements.

 

     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. 969 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair