HawaiiHB 15102025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)HouseWALLET

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Sponsored By: Scot Z. Matayoshi (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate. Amends the penalty for obstruction of a license plate. Allows state or county parking enforcement officers and persons authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency to issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate. Repeals the requirement that a cover or shield be intended to alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of a license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Certificates of InspectionLicense PlatesObstructionEnforcementTRS, JDC

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Vehicle owners must remove plate covers

Starting January 1, 2027, a vehicle or moped cannot pass inspection with a cover or shield over its license plate. Owners seeking an inspection certificate must remove it. The law does not set a specific cost for removing a cover.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Scot Z. Matayoshi

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Darius K. Kila

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 197 • No: 3

House vote • 4/23/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 24 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2026

The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2026

Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA...

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act 012, 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1112).

    5/14/2026Senate
  2. Act 012, on 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1112).

    5/14/2026House
  3. Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 823).

    4/24/2026Senate
  4. Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 814).

    4/23/2026Senate
  5. House agrees to Senate amendment(s).

    4/23/2026House
  6. Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting no (2) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1).

    4/23/2026House
  7. Transmitted to Governor.

    4/23/2026House
  8. Reconsideration of action taken on 04-14-26.

    4/22/2026House
  9. Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).

    4/16/2026Senate
  10. House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

    4/14/2026House
  11. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

    4/10/2026Senate
  12. Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 520) in amended form (SD 1).

    4/10/2026House
  13. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3655) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

    4/9/2026Senate
  14. One Day Notice 04-10-26.

    4/9/2026Senate
  15. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

    3/31/2026Senate
  16. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-31-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

    3/25/2026Senate
  17. Reported from TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3111) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

    3/23/2026Senate
  18. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

    3/23/2026Senate
  19. The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TRS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

    3/17/2026Senate
  20. The committee(s) on TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-17-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

    3/13/2026Senate
  21. The committee(s) on TRS has rescheduled its public hearing to 03-17-26 3:00PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.

    3/13/2026Senate
  22. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 232).

    3/12/2026Senate
  23. Passed First Reading.

    3/12/2026Senate
  24. Referred to TRS, JDC.

    3/12/2026Senate
  25. Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.

    3/10/2026House

Bill Text

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