Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB1643 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1643 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the use of intoxicants while operating a vehicle. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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3	3	THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1643
4	4	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
5	5	STATE OF HAWAII
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7	7	THE SENATE
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9	9	S.B. NO.
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11	11	1643
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13	13	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
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17	17	STATE OF HAWAII
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31	31	A BILL FOR AN ACT
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37	37	relating to the use of intoxicants while operating a vehicle.
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43	43	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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47	47	SECTION 1. Section 291E-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows: 1. By amending the definition of "measurable amount of alcohol" to read: ""Measurable amount of alcohol" means a test result equal to or greater than .02 but less than [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood or equal to or greater than .02 but less than [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath." 2. By amending the definition of "under the influence" to read: ""Under the influence" means that a person: (1) Is under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty; (2) Is under the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner; (3) Has [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person's breath; or (4) Has [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of the person's blood." SECTION 2. Section 291E-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows: "(a) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5 or in any proceeding under part III: (1) [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of the person's blood; (2) [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person's breath; or (3) The presence of one or more drugs in an amount sufficient to impair the person's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner, within three hours after the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis or other approved analytical techniques of the person's blood, breath, or urine shall be competent evidence that the person was under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the alleged violation. (b) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5, the amount of alcohol found in the defendant's blood or breath within three hours after the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis or other approved analytical techniques of the defendant's blood or breath shall be competent evidence concerning whether the defendant was under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the alleged violation and shall give rise to the following presumptions: (1) If there were [.05] .02 or less grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [.05] .02 or less grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, it shall be presumed that the defendant was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged violation; and (2) If there were in excess of [.05] .02 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [.05] .02 grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, but less than [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, that fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the defendant was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged violation, but shall not of itself give rise to any presumption." SECTION 3. Section 291E-35, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) In cases involving an alcohol related offense, if a test conducted in accordance with part II and section 321‑161 and the rules adopted thereunder shows that a respondent had an alcohol concentration less than [.08,] .05, the director or the arresting law enforcement agency immediately shall return the respondent's license along with a certified statement that administrative revocation proceedings have been terminated with prejudice." SECTION 4. Section 291E-36, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) Whenever a respondent has been arrested for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5 and submits to a test that establishes: the respondent's alcohol concentration was [.08] .05 or more; the presence, in the respondent's blood or urine, of any drug that is capable of impairing the respondent's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner; or whenever a respondent has been involved in a collision resulting in injury or death and a blood or urine test performed pursuant to section 291E-21 establishes that the respondent's alcohol concentration was [.08] .05 or more or establishes the presence in the respondent's blood or urine of any drug that is capable of impairing the respondent's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner, the following shall be forwarded immediately to the director: (1) A copy of the arrest report or the report of the law enforcement officer who issued the notice of administrative revocation to the person involved in a collision resulting in injury or death and the sworn statement of the arresting law enforcement officer or the officer who issued the notice of administrative revocation, stating facts that establish that: (A) There was reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle, the vehicle was stopped at an intoxicant control roadblock established and operated in compliance with sections 291E-19 and 291E-20, or the respondent was tested pursuant to section 291E-21; (B) There was probable cause to believe that the respondent had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant; and (C) The respondent agreed to be tested or the person was tested pursuant to section 291E-21; (2) In a case involving an alcohol related offense, the sworn statement of the person responsible for maintenance of the testing equipment, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder: (A) The equipment used to conduct the test was approved for use as an alcohol testing device in this State; (B) The person had been trained and at the time the test was conducted was certified and capable of maintaining the testing equipment; and (C) The testing equipment used had been properly maintained and was in good working condition when the test was conducted; (3) In a case involving an alcohol related offense, the sworn statement of the person who conducted the test, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder: (A) The person was trained and at the time the test was conducted was certified and capable of operating the testing equipment; (B) The person followed the procedures established for conducting the test; (C) The equipment used to conduct the test functioned in accordance with operating procedures and indicated that the respondent's alcohol concentration was at, or above, the prohibited level; and (D) The person whose breath or blood was tested is the respondent; (4) In a case involving a drug related offense, the sworn statement of the person responsible for maintenance of the testing equipment, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder: (A) The equipment used to conduct the test was approved for use in drug testing; (B) The person conducting the test had been trained and, at the time of the test, was certified and capable of maintaining the testing equipment; and (C) The testing equipment used had been properly maintained and was in good working condition when the test was conducted; (5) In a case involving a drug related offense, the sworn statement of the person who conducted the test, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder: (A) At the time the test was conducted, the person was trained and capable of operating the testing equipment; (B) The person followed the procedures established for conducting the test; (C) The equipment used to conduct the test functioned in accordance with operating procedures and indicated the presence of one or more drugs or their metabolites in the respondent's blood or urine; and (D) The person whose blood or urine was tested is the respondent; (6) A copy of the notice of administrative revocation issued by the law enforcement officer to the respondent; (7) Any license taken into possession by the law enforcement officer; and (8) A listing of any prior alcohol or drug enforcement contacts involving the respondent." SECTION 5. Section 291E-61, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) A person commits the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant if the person operates or assumes actual physical control of a vehicle: (1) While under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty; (2) While under the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner; (3) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath; or (4) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood." SECTION 6. Section 291E-61.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) A person commits the offense of habitually operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant if: (1) The person is a habitual operator of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant; and (2) The person operates or assumes actual physical control of a vehicle: (A) While under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty; (B) While under the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner; (C) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath; or (D) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood." SECTION 7. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date. SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the amendments made to sections 291E-61(a) and 291E-61.5(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, by sections 5 and 6, respectively, of this Act shall not be repealed when those sections are reenacted on June 30, 2028, pursuant to section 11 of Act 196, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, as amended by section 8 of Act 148, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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49	49	SECTION 1. Section 291E-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
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51	51	1. By amending the definition of "measurable amount of alcohol" to read:
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53	53	""Measurable amount of alcohol" means a test result equal to or greater than .02 but less than [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood or equal to or greater than .02 but less than [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath."
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55	55	2. By amending the definition of "under the influence" to read:
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57	57	""Under the influence" means that a person:
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59	59	(1) Is under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty;
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61	61	(2) Is under the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner;
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63	63	(3) Has [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person's breath; or
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65	65	(4) Has [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of the person's blood."
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67	67	SECTION 2. Section 291E-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:
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69	69	"(a) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5 or in any proceeding under part III:
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71	71	(1) [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of the person's blood;
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73	73	(2) [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person's breath; or
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75	75	(3) The presence of one or more drugs in an amount sufficient to impair the person's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner,
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77	77	within three hours after the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis or other approved analytical techniques of the person's blood, breath, or urine shall be competent evidence that the person was under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the alleged violation.
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79	79	(b) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5, the amount of alcohol found in the defendant's blood or breath within three hours after the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis or other approved analytical techniques of the defendant's blood or breath shall be competent evidence concerning whether the defendant was under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the alleged violation and shall give rise to the following presumptions:
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81	81	(1) If there were [.05] .02 or less grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [.05] .02 or less grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, it shall be presumed that the defendant was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged violation; and
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83	83	(2) If there were in excess of [.05] .02 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [.05] .02 grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, but less than [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of defendant's blood or [.08] .05 grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of defendant's breath, that fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the defendant was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged violation, but shall not of itself give rise to any presumption."
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85	85	SECTION 3. Section 291E-35, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
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87	87	"(a) In cases involving an alcohol related offense, if a test conducted in accordance with part II and section 321‑161 and the rules adopted thereunder shows that a respondent had an alcohol concentration less than [.08,] .05, the director or the arresting law enforcement agency immediately shall return the respondent's license along with a certified statement that administrative revocation proceedings have been terminated with prejudice."
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89	89	SECTION 4. Section 291E-36, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
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91	91	"(a) Whenever a respondent has been arrested for a violation of section 291E-61 or 291E-61.5 and submits to a test that establishes: the respondent's alcohol concentration was [.08] .05 or more; the presence, in the respondent's blood or urine, of any drug that is capable of impairing the respondent's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner; or whenever a respondent has been involved in a collision resulting in injury or death and a blood or urine test performed pursuant to section 291E-21 establishes that the respondent's alcohol concentration was [.08] .05 or more or establishes the presence in the respondent's blood or urine of any drug that is capable of impairing the respondent's ability to operate a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner, the following shall be forwarded immediately to the director:
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93	93	(1) A copy of the arrest report or the report of the law enforcement officer who issued the notice of administrative revocation to the person involved in a collision resulting in injury or death and the sworn statement of the arresting law enforcement officer or the officer who issued the notice of administrative revocation, stating facts that establish that:
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95	95	(A) There was reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle, the vehicle was stopped at an intoxicant control roadblock established and operated in compliance with sections 291E-19 and 291E-20, or the respondent was tested pursuant to section 291E-21;
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97	97	(B) There was probable cause to believe that the respondent had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant; and
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99	99	(C) The respondent agreed to be tested or the person was tested pursuant to section 291E-21;
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101	101	(2) In a case involving an alcohol related offense, the sworn statement of the person responsible for maintenance of the testing equipment, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:
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103	103	(A) The equipment used to conduct the test was approved for use as an alcohol testing device in this State;
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105	105	(B) The person had been trained and at the time the test was conducted was certified and capable of maintaining the testing equipment; and
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107	107	(C) The testing equipment used had been properly maintained and was in good working condition when the test was conducted;
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109	109	(3) In a case involving an alcohol related offense, the sworn statement of the person who conducted the test, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:
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111	111	(A) The person was trained and at the time the test was conducted was certified and capable of operating the testing equipment;
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113	113	(B) The person followed the procedures established for conducting the test;
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115	115	(C) The equipment used to conduct the test functioned in accordance with operating procedures and indicated that the respondent's alcohol concentration was at, or above, the prohibited level; and
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117	117	(D) The person whose breath or blood was tested is the respondent;
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119	119	(4) In a case involving a drug related offense, the sworn statement of the person responsible for maintenance of the testing equipment, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:
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121	121	(A) The equipment used to conduct the test was approved for use in drug testing;
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123	123	(B) The person conducting the test had been trained and, at the time of the test, was certified and capable of maintaining the testing equipment; and
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125	125	(C) The testing equipment used had been properly maintained and was in good working condition when the test was conducted;
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127	127	(5) In a case involving a drug related offense, the sworn statement of the person who conducted the test, stating facts that establish that, pursuant to section 321-161 and rules adopted thereunder:
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129	129	(A) At the time the test was conducted, the person was trained and capable of operating the testing equipment;
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131	131	(B) The person followed the procedures established for conducting the test;
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133	133	(C) The equipment used to conduct the test functioned in accordance with operating procedures and indicated the presence of one or more drugs or their metabolites in the respondent's blood or urine; and
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135	135	(D) The person whose blood or urine was tested is the respondent;
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137	137	(6) A copy of the notice of administrative revocation issued by the law enforcement officer to the respondent;
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139	139	(7) Any license taken into possession by the law enforcement officer; and
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141	141	(8) A listing of any prior alcohol or drug enforcement contacts involving the respondent."
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143	143	SECTION 5. Section 291E-61, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
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145	145	"(a) A person commits the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant if the person operates or assumes actual physical control of a vehicle:
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147	147	(1) While under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty;
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149	149	(2) While under the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner;
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151	151	(3) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath; or
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153	153	(4) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood."
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155	155	SECTION 6. Section 291E-61.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
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157	157	"(a) A person commits the offense of habitually operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant if:
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159	159	(1) The person is a habitual operator of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant; and
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161	161	(2) The person operates or assumes actual physical control of a vehicle:
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163	163	(A) While under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the person's normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty;
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165	165	(B) While under the influence of any drug that impairs the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner;
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167	167	(C) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath; or
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169	169	(D) With [.08] .05 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood."
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171	171	SECTION 7. 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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173	173	SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
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175	175	SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the amendments made to sections 291E-61(a) and 291E-61.5(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, by sections 5 and 6, respectively, of this Act shall not be repealed when those sections are reenacted on June 30, 2028, pursuant to section 11 of Act 196, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, as amended by section 8 of Act 148, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.
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179	179	INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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181	181	INTRODUCED BY:
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189	189	Report Title: Drug and Alcohol Toxicology Testing; Blood Alcohol Content; Lower Threshold Description: Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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195	195	Report Title:
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197	197	Drug and Alcohol Toxicology Testing; Blood Alcohol Content; Lower Threshold
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201	201	Description:
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203	203	Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.
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211	211	The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.