HB1084

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\r\n HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES \r\n	\r\n H.B. NO. \r\n	\r\n 1084 \r\n
\r\n THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 \r\n		\r\n \r\n
\r\n STATE OF HAWAII \r\n		\r\n \r\n
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A BILL FOR AN ACT

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RELATING TO USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

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

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 1.\xa0 Section\r\n291E-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 1.\xa0\r\nBy amending the definition of "measurable amount of alcohol"\r\nto read:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 ""Measurable amount of\r\nalcohol" means a test result equal to or greater than .02 but less than [~~.08~~]\r\n.05 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of\r\nblood or equal to or greater than .02 but less than [~~.08~~] .05\r\ngrams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 2.\xa0 By\r\namending the definition of "under the influence" to read:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 ""Under the influence" means\r\nth"b"at a person:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (1)\xa0 Is\r\nunder the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's\r\nnormal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against\r\ncasualty;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (2)\xa0 Is\r\nunder the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate\r\nthe vehicle in a careful and prudent manner;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (3)\xa0 Has\r\n[~~.08~~] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of\r\nthe person's breath; or

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (4)\xa0 Has\r\n[~~.08~~] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or\r\ncubic centimeters of the person's blood."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 2. \xa0Section 291E-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is\r\namended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 "(a)\xa0\r\nIn any criminal prosecution for a violation of section 291E-61 or\r\n291E-61.5 or in any proceeding under part III:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (1)\xa0 [~~.08~~]\r\n.05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic\r\ncentimeters of the person's blood;"b"

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (2)\xa0 [~~.08~~]\r\n.05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person's\r\nbreath; or

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (3)\xa0 The\r\npresence of one or more drugs in an amount sufficient to impair the person's\r\nability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner,

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within\r\nthree hours after the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical\r\nanalysis or other approved analytical techniques of the person's blood, breath,\r\nor urine shall be competent evidence that the person was under the influence of\r\nan intoxicant at the time of the alleged violation.

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (b)\xa0 In\r\nany criminal prosecution for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5, the\r\namount of alcohol found in the defendant's blood or breath within three hours\r\nafter the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis or other\r\napproved analytical techniques of the defendant's blood or breath shall be\r\ncompetent evidence concerning whether the defendant was under the influence of\r\nan intoxicant at the time of the alleged violation and shall give rise to the\r\nfollowing presumptions:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (1)\xa0 If\r\nthere were [~~.05~~] .02 or less grams of alcohol per one hundred\r\nmilliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [~~.05~~] .02\r\nor less grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, it\r\nshall be presumed that the d"b"efendant was not under the influence of alcohol at\r\nthe time of the alleged violation; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (2)\xa0 If\r\nthere were in excess of [~~.05~~] .02 grams of alcohol per one\r\nhundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [~~.05~~] .02\r\ngrams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, but less\r\nthan [~~.08~~] .05 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or\r\ncubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [~~.08~~] .05 grams of\r\nalcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, that fact may be\r\nconsidered with other competent evidence in determining whether the defendant\r\nwas under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged violation, but\r\nshall not of itself give rise to any presumption."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 3. \xa0Section 291E-35, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is\r\namended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 "(a)\xa0\r\nIn cases involving an alcohol related offense, if a test conducted in\r\naccordance with part II and section 321‑161\r\nand the rules adopted thereunder shows that a respondent had an alcohol\r\nconcentration less than [~~.08,~~] .05, the director or the arresting\r\nlaw enforcement agency immediately shall return the respondent\'s license along\r\nwith a certified statement that administrative revocation proceedings have been\r\nterminated with prejudice."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 4. \xa0Section 291E-36, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is\r\namended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 "(a)\xa0\r\nWhenever a respondent has been arrested for a violation of section\r\n291E-61 or 291E-61.5 and submits to a test that establishes: \xa0the respondent's alcohol concentration was [~~.08~~]\r\n.05 or more; the presence, in the respondent's blood or urine, of any\r\ndrug that is capable of impairing the respondent's ability to operate a vehicle\r\nin a careful and prudent manner; or whenever a respondent has been involved in\r\na collision resulting in injury or death and a blood or urine test performed\r\npursuant to section 291E-21 establishes that the respondent's alcohol\r\nconcen"b"tration was [~~.08~~] .05 or more or establishes the presence\r\nin the respondent's blood or urine of any drug that is capable of impairing the\r\nrespondent's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner, the\r\nfollowing shall be forwarded immediately to the director:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (1)\xa0 A\r\ncopy of the arrest report or the report of the law enforcement officer who\r\nissued the notice of administrative revocation to the person involved in a\r\ncollision resulting in injury or death and the sworn statement of the arresting\r\nlaw enforcement officer or the officer who issued the notice of administrative\r\nrevocation, stating facts that establish that:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (A)\xa0 There\r\nwas reasonable suspicion to stop t"b"he vehicle, the vehicle was stopped at an\r\nintoxicant control roadblock established and operated in compliance with\r\nsections 291E-19 and 291E-20, or the respondent was tested pursuant to section\r\n291E-21;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (B)\xa0 There\r\nwas probable cause to believe that the respondent had been operating the\r\nvehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (C)\xa0 The\r\nrespondent agreed to be tested or the person was tested pursuant to section\r\n291E-21;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (2)\xa0 In\r\na case involving an alcohol related offense, the sworn statement of the person\r\nresponsibl"b"e for maintenance of the testing equipment, stating facts that\r\nestablish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (A)\xa0 The\r\nequipment used to conduct the test was approved for use as an alcohol testing\r\ndevice in this State;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (B)\xa0 The\r\nperson had been trained and at the time the test was conducted was certified\r\nand capable of maintaining the testing equipment; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (C)\xa0 The\r\ntesting equipment used had been properly maintained and was in good working\r\ncondition when the test was conducted;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (3)\xa0 In\r\na case involving an alcohol related offense, the sworn statement of the person\r\nwho conducted the test, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section\r\n321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (A)\xa0 The\r\nperson was trained and at the time the test was conducted was certified and\r\ncapable of operating the testing equipment;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (B)\xa0 The\r\nperson followed the procedures established for conducting the test;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (C)\xa0 The\r\nequipment used to conduct the test functioned in accordance with operating\r\nprocedures and indicated that the respondent's alcohol concentration was at, or\r\nabove, the prohibited level; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (D)\xa0 The\r\nperson whose breath or blood was tested is the respondent;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (4)\xa0 In\r\na case involving a drug related offense, the sworn statement of the person\r\nresponsible for maintenance of the testing equipment, stating facts that\r\nestablish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (A)\xa0 The\r\nequipment use"b"d to conduct the test was approved for use in drug testing;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (B)\xa0 The\r\nperson conducting the test had been trained and, at the time of the test, was\r\ncertified and capable of maintaining the testing equipment; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (C)\xa0 The\r\ntesting equipment used had been properly maintained and was in good working\r\ncondition when the test was conducted;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (5)\xa0 In\r\na case involving a drug related offense, the sworn statement of the person who\r\nconducted the test, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section\r\n321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (A)\xa0 At\r\nthe time the test was conducted, the person was trained and capable of\r\noperating the testing equipment;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (B)\xa0 The\r\nperson followed the procedures established for conducting the test;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (C)\xa0 The\r\nequipment used to conduct the test functioned in accordance with operating\r\nprocedures and indicated the presence of one or more drugs or their metabolites\r\nin the respondent's blood or urine; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (D)\xa0 The\r\nperson whose blood or urine was tested is the respondent;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (6)\xa0 A\r\ncopy of the notice of administrative revocation issued by the law enforcement\r\nofficer to the respondent;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (7)\xa0 Any\r\nlicense taken into possession by the law enforcement officer; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (8)\xa0 A\r\nlisting of any prior alcohol or drug enforcement contacts involving the\r\nrespondent."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 5. \xa0"b"Section 291E-61, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is\r\namended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 "(a)\xa0\r\nA person commits the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence\r\nof an intoxicant if the person operates or assumes actual physical control of a\r\nvehicle:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (1)\xa0 While\r\nunder the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's\r\nnormal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against\r\ncasualty;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (2)\xa0 While\r\nunder the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate\r\nthe veh"b'icle in a careful and prudent manner;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (3)\xa0 With\r\n[~~.08~~] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of\r\nbreath; or

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (4)\xa0 With\r\n[~~.08~~] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or\r\ncubic centimeters of blood."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 6. \xa0Section 291E-61.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is\r\namended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 "(a)\xa0\r\nA person commits the offense of habitually operating a vehicle under the\r\ninfluence of an intoxicant if:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (1)\xa0 The\r\nperson is a habitual operator of a vehicle while under the influence of an\r\nintoxicant; and

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (2)\xa0 The\r\nperson operates or assumes actual physical control of a vehicle:

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (A)\xa0 While\r\nunder the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's\r\nnormal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard"b" against\r\ncasualty;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (B)\xa0 While\r\nunder the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate\r\nthe vehicle in a careful and prudent manner;

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (C)\xa0 With\r\n[~~.08~~] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of\r\nbreath; or

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 (D)\xa0 With\r\n[~~.08~~] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or\r\ncubic centimeters of blood."

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 7. \xa0This Act does not affect rights and duties\r\nthat matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun\r\nbefore its effective date.

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 8. \xa0Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed\r\nand stricken.\xa0 New statutory material is\r\nunderscored.

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\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 SECTION 9. \xa0This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

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INTRODUCED BY:

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BY REQUEST

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Report Title:

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Drug and Alcoho'b'l Toxicology Testing; Blood Alcohol\r\nContent; Lower Threshold

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Description:

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Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving\r\nwhile under the influence of alcohol from .08 to .05 or more grams of alcohol\r\nto reduce impaired driving and fatal crashes.

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The summary description\r\nof legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is\r\nnot legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

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HB 1084: RELATING TO USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

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