HB 2589 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

Summary

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)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2589 → HB2589_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally changes the legal consequences for driving without a license by creating a new crime called 'negligent homicide in the first degree.' Previously, penalties focused on fines and vehicle forfeiture for repeat offenders; now, causing a death while driving without a valid license is a felony. The bill also establishes specific criteria for what counts as a prior conviction for this new charge.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from addressing penalties for driving without a license to defining a new homicide offense. It applies to anyone who causes death while driving without a valid license, with enhanced penalties for those with prior DUI or driving without license convictions.

SCOPE

Created a new offense of 'negligent homicide in the first degree' for causing death while driving without a valid license.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed penalties from fines and vehicle forfeiture to felony charges, escalating to a Class A felony for repeat offenders.

DEFINITION

Defined specific conditions that count as prior convictions, including out-of-state DUI convictions and minor adjudications.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 3000.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the provision ordering vehicle forfeiture for repeat offenders driving without a license.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 660-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Cochran, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 6

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

10 primary · 0 co-sponsors