HB 1708 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Summary

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)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB1708 → HB1708_HD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly increases penalties for driving while highly intoxicated by upgrading the offense from a petty misdemeanor to a class C felony. It introduces mandatory minimum jail time, longer license revocation periods, and requires ignition interlock devices for all offenders. The bill also adds a new section to the state penal code that excludes highly intoxicated drivers from certain sentencing leniencies, such as deferred pleas.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of penalties to include felony charges and mandatory sentencing enhancements that were previously unavailable for this offense. It also modifies the applicability of the state's general sentencing leniency rules to specifically exclude highly intoxicated drivers.

REQUIREMENT

Upgraded the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence while highly intoxicated from a petty misdemeanor to a class C felony.

Mandated minimum jail time (10 days for first offenses, 30 days for repeat offenses) and longer license revocation periods (18 months to 2 years for first offenses, 3 to 4 years for repeat offenses).

Required the installation of ignition interlock devices on all vehicles operated by the offender during the license revocation period.

Added mandatory substance abuse rehabilitation programs and specific fine amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new provision to the state penal code that excludes highly intoxicated drivers from eligibility for deferred acceptance of guilty pleas and other sentencing leniencies.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000, with specific provisions for when the amendments may be repealed if reenacted by future legislation.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 545-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Prefiled.

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors