# Hawaii SB 2079: RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLES.

Hawaii SB 2079, RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Dru Mamo Kanuha (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-02-24 (The committee on JDC deferred the measure.); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2079-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 2079
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-02-24, The committee on JDC deferred the measure.
- Sponsor: Dru Mamo Kanuha (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Subjects: Vehicle Title, Surety Bond, Director of Finance, Ownership, EIG, JDC
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 1 (4 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires the county Director of Finance to issue a temporary, three-year title to an applicant in cases where no prior title exists, the prior owner is unable to provide one, or the Director is otherwise not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle. Requires the applicant to provide a surety bond and certain documentation to the Director. Allows for a right of action against the surety bond and temporary title. Requires the temporary title to convert to a full title after three years unless a suit has been instituted against the temporary title.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Dru Mamo Kanuha (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Troy N. Hashimoto (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Michelle N. Kidani (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Rachele Lamosao (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Angus L.K. McKelvey (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: SAN BUENAVENTURA

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-03 | Senate | The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |

## Actions (9)

- 2026-02-24: The committee on JDC deferred the measure. (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-24-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Reported from EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2123) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella. (Senate)
- 2026-01-30: The committee(s) on EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-01-22: Referred to EIG, JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-01-21: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2079_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2079_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2079_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2079_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2031-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2079-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).