STAND. COM. REP. NO. 956-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: S.B. No. 2316
                                     S.D. 1
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B.
No. 2316, S.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DRIVER'S LICENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to permit the use of foreign
language exams by the examiner of drivers.

     Your Committee finds that a considerable number of people
are proficient at driving but do not read or write English
fluently.  These people are thus capable of driving but cannot
obtain a Hawaii State driver's license.  Your Committee further
finds that other states such as California have offered
translated examinations which have proven successful.

     This bill would permit the use of a foreign language exam by
the examiner of drivers, if the applicant is able to read and
understand simple English.

     Testimonies in support of this bill were received from the
Trinity United Methodist Church, Faith Action for Community
Equity, and a concerned citizen.  The Department of
Transportation supported the intent of this bill.  Testimony in
opposition to this bill was received from the Department of
Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu.


 
 
 
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                                 Page 2

 
     Your Committee has amended this bill by inserting language
stipulating that the foreign language examination be provided
when the Director of Transportation determines that there is a
need for such examinations and when funds are available.  Your
Committee encourages volunteers from the community to offer their
services in translating examinations to expedite the readiness of
exams and to defray translation costs.  Technical, nonsubstantive
amendments were also made to the bill for the purposes of clarity
and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No.
2316, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2316, S.D.
1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Transportation,



                                   ______________________________
                                   KENNETH T. HIRAKI, Chair