HB2081 • 2026

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.

Labor

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: NAKAMURA (Introduced by request of another party)
Last action: 2026-02-05
Official status: The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for non-compliance, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Commercial Driver Licensing Rules for Firefighters

This bill requires state and county firefighters who are exempt from commercial driver licensing to follow alcohol and substance abuse policies that meet or exceed federal standards.

What This Bill Does

Requires state and county firefighters, who do not need a commercial driver license but drive fire trucks or emergency vehicles, to have an alcohol and drug policy for their employees.
This policy must be at least as strict as the rules set by the U.S. Department of Transportation for people with commercial driver's licenses.

Who It Names or Affects

State and county firefighters who do not need a commercial driver license but drive fire trucks or emergency vehicles.

Terms To Know

Commercial Driver License: A special type of driving permit needed to operate large trucks, buses, or other big vehicles used for work purposes.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy: Rules that a company or organization has about not drinking alcohol or using drugs while at work.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what will happen if firefighters do not follow the new policy.
It is unclear how this rule will be enforced or checked by anyone.

Bill History

2026-02-05 H
The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2026-02-03 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 02-05-26 9:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-28 H
Referred to TRN, LAB, FIN, referral sheet 3
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.
Hawaii Council of Mayors Package; Commercial Driver Licensing; Alcohol; Substance Abuse; Testing; Counties; Firefighters; Exemptions; HDOT
Requires that state and county firefighters exempt from commercial driver licensure be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy for employees that is equivalent to, or exceeds the provisions of, the safety and health standards established by the United States Department of Transportation for holders of commercial driver's licenses.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2081

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2081

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to Commercial Driver Licensing
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 286-235.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�286-235.5
�
Persons exempt from licensure.
�
(a)
�

The following persons shall be exempt from licensure under this part:

����
(1)
�
Individuals who operate commercial motor
vehicles for military purposes.
�
This
exception is limited to active-duty military personnel, members of the military
reserves, members of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on
full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time national guard training,
and national guard military technicians (civilians who are required to wear
military uniforms), and active-duty United States Coast Guard personnel.
�
This exception is not applicable to
United States

reserve technicians; and

����
(2)
�
Federal, state, and county firefighters, and
law enforcement officers who drive federal, state, or county fire trucks,
including fire pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, and elevated platform trucks, or
authorized emergency vehicles; provided that they are trained by the federal,
state, or county government and the commercial motor vehicles are equipped with
audible and visual signals and are not subject to normal traffic
regulation.
�
For purposes of this
paragraph, "authorized emergency vehicle" shall have the same meaning
as in section 291C-1.

����
(b)
�
State and county firefighters exempt from
licensure under this part shall be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse
policy for employees that is equivalent to, or exceeds the provisions of, the
safety and health standards established by the United States Department of
Transportation for holders of commercial driver's licenses.
"

����
SECTION
2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and
duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were
begun before its effective date.

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SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

By Request

Report Title:

Hawaii
Council of Mayors Package; Commercial Driver Licensing; Alcohol; Substance
Abuse; Testing; Counties; Firefighters; Exemptions; HDOT

Description:

Requires that
state and county firefighters exempt from commercial driver licensure be
subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy for employees that is
equivalent to, or exceeds the provisions of, the safety and health standards
established by the United States Department of Transportation for holders of
commercial driver's licenses.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.