THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
966
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is cluttered with abandoned and unregistered motor vehicles. The legislature believes that it must take action to disincentivize the continued possession and use of unregistered motor vehicles.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation, in coordination with the counties of the State, to establish a one-year unregistered motor vehicle amnesty pilot program to encourage motor vehicle registration and mandate the surrender or impoundment of unregistered motor vehicles after the expiration of the program.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of transportation, in coordination with the counties of the State, shall establish a one-year unregistered motor vehicle amnesty pilot program, to commence on , .
(b) Under the program, the owner of an unregistered motor vehicle located within the State shall register the motor vehicle within one year or surrender the vehicle to the State. Any motor vehicle that is not registered or surrendered by the expiration of the pilot program shall be surrendered to or impounded by the State.
(c) The department of transportation shall adopt emergency rules for the purposes of the Act, pursuant to section 91-3(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes. In justifying the adoption of these rules, the department shall declare that the prevalence of abandoned and unregistered vehicles in the State presents imminent peril to the public health, safety, and morals.
(d) The department of transportation shall submit a report of the results of the pilot program, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.
(e) The provisions of this Act shall apply notwithstanding any law to the contrary.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for administering the one-year unregistered motor vehicle amnesty pilot program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
(1) $ to the city and county of Honolulu;
(2) $ to the county of Hawaii;
(3) $ to the county of Maui;
(4) $ to the county of Kauai;
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for costs relating to the one-year unregistered motor vehicle amnesty pilot program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
DOT; Counties; Motor Vehicles; Registration; Amnesty; Pilot Program; Appropriations
Description:
Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties of the State, to establish a 1-year unregistered motor vehicle amnesty pilot program to encourage motor vehicle registration and mandate the surrender or impoundment of unregistered motor vehicles after the expiration of the program. Appropriates moneys.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.