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SB971Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Traffic.

EngrossedHouse Transportation

Introduced by Brandon Elefante, District 16

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Provides that if a law enforcement officer lawfully stops a motor vehicle and the operator is cited for driving without a valid license, the officer shall not permit the operator to resume the use of the motor vehicle. Requires the motor vehicle to be moved by a licensed driver or towed at the owner's expense. Provides that the cited operator is responsible for arranging the operator's transportation from the scene of the stop. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Where it stands

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

December 8, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · February 21, 2025

3

Yes

1

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Yes
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Absent
Brenton Awa23No

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to TCA/PSM, JDC.

  4. The committee(s) on TCA/PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 3:15PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  6. The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  7. Reported from TCA/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 385) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

  8. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

  9. The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-21-25 10:20AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  10. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

  11. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1017) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).

  12. 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.

  13. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

  14. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 232) in amended form (SD 2).

  15. Pass First Reading

  16. Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 19

  17. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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