Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

GM 1119: Informing the Legislature that on May 19, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1163 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 019).

This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature confirming that House Bill 1163 was signed into law on May 19, 2026. The bill amends state statutes regarding commercial driver's licensing to align more closely with federal regulations. Specifically, it requires applicants to prove citizenship or lawful permanent residency and mandates that skills tests be conducted exclusively in English. Additionally, the law updates procedures for verifying medical certifications and processing waivers for drivers who do not meet certain physical standards.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts access to commercial driver's licenses by mandating proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency and requiring English-only skills tests.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 177: RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

HB 177 makes civil identification cards (like state-issued IDs) free to issue or renew for residents, removing fees that previously applied. It directs state funds to cover these costs, ensuring the program is fully funded without requiring payments from cardholders. This directly affects all Hawaii residents who need or renew a civil ID card, including those who may face financial barriers to obtaining one. The bill becomes effective on June 30, 3000, as stated in the official abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs state funds to cover civil ID card costs (removing fees), explicitly using appropriations ($), funding a public service without user fees.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves fees for civil ID cards, reducing financial barriers for immigrants accessing essential services without explicit enforcement restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2445: RELATING TO STUDENT SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to develop, adopt, and implement a standardized emergency response plan governing immigration enforcement activity at or within one thousand feet of public schools and adopt policies and procedures to address immigration enforcement activity at certain school-related location and events. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires Department of Education to create safety plan protecting schools from immigration enforcement disruptions, aligning with educational safety protections.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires emergency plan for immigration enforcement near schools, protecting student safety and limiting disruption to immigrant families during federal actions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 853: RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Establishes the Immigration Services Trust Fund to support immigration-related matters within the Office of Community Services. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to submit annual reports to the Legislature on the accounting of expenditures of the Fund. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes Immigration Services Trust Fund with appropriated funds, directly allocating state budget resources for immigration services per bill's summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes Immigration Services Trust Fund with appropriations to support immigration-related services under Office of Community Services, directly funding immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2541: RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

HB 2541 prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their immigration status. It directly affects people with diverse immigration statuses, including undocumented individuals, in contexts like employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill establishes a clear legal prohibition against using immigration status as a basis for discriminatory actions. This represents a concrete policy change to protect affected individuals from such discrimination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on immigration status, directly protecting tenants from discrimination in housing contexts per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits discrimination based on immigration status, protecting undocumented individuals in employment, housing, and public accommodations per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on immigration status, directly protecting workers' rights in labor contexts as specified in the summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Employment Discrimination

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2873: RELATING TO VISAS.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriate funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to state and county certifying entities so that the policies and processes comply with all federal requirements. Appropriates funds to the Department of the Attorney General for the training.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes uniform statewide requirements for U/T visa certifications, facilitating access for immigrant crime victims by standardizing processes consistent with federal law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2059: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits a law enforcement agency from entering into an agreement for the delegation of immigration enforcement authority to a state or county agency.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local law enforcement from delegating immigration enforcement authority, limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 775: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with the federal government for immigration purposes except for in limited, specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state/local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities except limited cases, directly aligning with 'limits cooperation with federal enforcement' indicator for support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 457: RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.

Requires state and local law enforcement agencies to notify an individual of their rights when in law enforcement agency custody before any interview with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on certain matters regarding immigration violations. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement to notify rights before ICE interviews, strengthening due process and civil rights protections in custody per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires law enforcement to notify individuals of rights before ICE interviews, protecting due process during immigration enforcement interactions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2771: RELATING TO LICENSING.

Removes the barrier requiring applicants for professional or vocational licensing to be United States citizens, United States nationals, or persons with work visas. Allows applicants to provide individual tax identification numbers in lieu of social security numbers if all other requirements are met.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship/work visa barriers for professional licensing, enabling immigrants with ITINs to access services. Directly advances immigrant integration and access to state-licensed professions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Tags Licensing

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