HawaiiSB 15222025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)SenateWALLET

RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLE TRANSFERS.

Sponsored By: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Clarifies that proof that a transferor has filed required notice forms with the County Director of Finance serves as a complete defense to any action brought against the transferor for an act or omission, civil or criminal, arising from the use, operation, or abandonment of the vehicle by another person. Requires, by 7/1/2026, the Judiciary to determine whether new forms or modification of the Judiciary's website is necessary to assist vehicle transferors and, if so, to create the forms or modify the website. (CD1)

Vehicle Title TransfersLiabilityMotor VehiclesTRN, JHA

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Protection for sellers after notice

A vehicle transferor who files the required notice has a complete defense to civil or criminal claims tied to another person’s later use, operation, or abandonment of the vehicle. A copy of the filed notice proves it was filed.

Fines for false transfer information

A vehicle transferor who submits false or fraudulent information for an action required under this law faces a fine of $500 to $1,000.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karl Rhoads

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brandon J.C. Elefante

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 201 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 4/24/2025

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 4/4/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/28/2025

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

Yes: 10 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2025

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

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2025

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

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/28/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 23 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/20/2025

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

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

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

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act 109, 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1209).

    5/29/2025Senate
  2. Act 109, on 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1209).

    5/29/2025House
  3. Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).

    5/2/2025Senate
  4. Enrolled to Governor.

    5/2/2025Senate
  5. Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).

    5/1/2025House
  6. Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.

    4/30/2025Senate
  7. Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick excused (2).

    4/30/2025House
  8. The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

    4/24/2025Senate
  9. The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Tarnas, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

    4/24/2025House
  10. Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 96).

    4/24/2025Senate
  11. 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25.

    4/24/2025Senate
  12. Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 96) as amended in (CD 1).

    4/24/2025House
  13. Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.

    4/24/2025House
  14. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-25 10:30AM; Conference Room 329.

    4/23/2025Senate
  15. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-23-25 10:30AM; Conference Room 329.

    4/22/2025Senate
  16. Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-22-25 10:35AM; Conference Room 329.

    4/21/2025Senate
  17. Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 731).

    4/15/2025Senate
  18. Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Rhoads Co-Chair; DeCorte.

    4/15/2025Senate
  19. Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 789).

    4/15/2025House
  20. House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Muraoka.

    4/14/2025House
  21. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 616).

    4/8/2025Senate
  22. Senate disagrees with House amendments.

    4/8/2025Senate
  23. Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 774).

    4/8/2025House
  24. Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

    4/4/2025House
  25. Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1772) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.

    4/2/2025House

Bill Text

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