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HB2086 • 2026

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Crime
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
2026-02-19
Official status
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on what constitutes 'serious bodily injury' or 'substantial bodily injury'.

Highway Safety Law

This law changes the definition of 'negligent injury in the first degree' to include injuries caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What This Bill Does

  • Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Drivers who cause injuries while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Victims of such accidents and their families

Terms To Know

negligent injury in the first degree
A crime where someone causes serious harm to another person through careless behavior.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law only affects cases that happen after July 1, 3000.
  • It does not change how other types of negligent injuries are treated.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment changes the law to include injuries caused by intoxicated drivers as a form of negligent injury in the first degree.

  • Adds a new clause (c) under subsection (1) of Section 707-705, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which states that causing substantial bodily injury to another person while operating a vehicle negligently and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered negligent injury in the first degree.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how this change will be enforced or what specific penalties may apply.
  • The effective date listed (July 1, 3000) appears to be a placeholder and is likely incorrect; further clarification would be needed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-19 H

    Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

  2. 2026-02-19 H

    Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 546-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

  3. 2026-02-17 H

    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.

  4. 2026-02-12 H

    Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Tuesday, 02-17-26 9:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  5. 2026-01-28 H

    Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 3

  6. 2026-01-26 H

    Introduced and Pass First Reading.

  7. 2026-01-23 H

    Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Criminal Offenses; Negligent Injury
Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB2086

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2086

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO HIGHWAY SAFETY
.

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

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 707-705, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (1) to read as follows:

����
"(1)
�
A person commits the offense of negligent
injury in the first degree if that person causes:

����
(a)
�
Serious bodily
injury to another person by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner; [
or
]

����
(b)
�
Substantial bodily
injury to a vulnerable user by the operation of a [
[
]vehicle[
]
]
in a negligent manner[
.
]
; or

����
(c)
�
Substantial bodily injury to another person
by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
"

����
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.

����
SECTION
3.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

By Request

Report Title:

Honolulu
Prosecuting Attorney Package; Criminal Offenses; Negligent Injury

Description:

Amends
the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries
negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers.

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