HB 1510: Certificates of Inspection; License Plates; Obstruction; Enforcement
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-20
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-05-14: Act 012, on 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1112).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill bars any cover or shield over a vehicle's license plate and makes a vehicle ineligible for an inspection certificate if such a cover is installed, affecting vehicle owners, sellers, dealerships, and inspection stations. It sets a $1,000 fine per offense, lets parking enforcement and other authorized state or county officers issue citations, and removes the need to prove the cover was intended to hide or interfere with the plate.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
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)
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 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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. (HD1)
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 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.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1510 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 286-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending subsection (e) to read:
"(e) Upon application for a
certificate of inspection to be issued for a vehicle or moped, an inspection as
prescribed by the director under subsection (g) shall be conducted on the
vehicle or moped. [If] A certificate
of inspection shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the
director if the vehicle or moped is found to be in safe operating
condition, including [adhering to head lamp requirements and
specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable, and is not]:
(1) Not being equipped with a
muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section 291-24 or 291-24.5,
as applicable[, a certificate of inspection
shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the director.];
(2) Adhering to head lamp requirements and specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable; and
(3) Not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73, as applicable.
The certificate shall state the effective date, termination date, name of the issuing insurance carrier, policy number of the motor vehicle insurance identification card for the inspected motor vehicle as specified by section 431:10C-107 or state the information contained in the proof of insurance card as specified by section 431:10G-106, and the odometer reading of the vehicle on the date of inspection. A sticker, authorized by the director, shall be affixed to the vehicle or moped at the time a certificate of inspection is issued. An inspection sticker that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed shall be replaced without reinspection by the inspection station that issued the original inspection sticker upon presentation of the current certificate of inspection; provided that the current certificate of inspection and inspection sticker shall not have expired at the time the replacement is requested. The director shall adopt rules to determine the fee for replacement of lost, stolen, or destroyed inspection stickers."
2. By amending subsection (g) to read:
"(g) The director of transportation shall adopt
necessary rules for the administration of inspections and the issuance of
certificates of inspection; provided that the rules shall[:], at a
minimum:
(1) [At a minimum,
require] Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle or moped is
not equipped with a muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section
291-24 or 291-24.5, as applicable; [and]
(2) Include head lamp
requirements that adhere to the specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a),
as applicable[.]; and
(3) Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle is not equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73."
SECTION 2. Section 286-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§286-73[]] Obstruction
of a license plate; prohibited.
(a) The use of any cover or shield
installed over a vehicle's license plate, regardless of transparency or intent,
shall be prohibited.
(b)
Any person, seller, or dealership who violates this section shall
be fined no less than [$500 and no more than] $1,000 for each
offense. Each day of violation shall
constitute a separate offense.
(c) In addition to any person authorized to enforce this chapter, any person authorized by the State or a county to enforce parking violations, including any person authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency, may issue a citation for a violation of this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section,
"cover" or "shield" means any device, material, or [film—whether]
film, whether clear, tinted, mirrored, reflective, or otherwise,
that is installed over or affixed to a license plate[, and is intended to
alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of the
license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems]."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken. New statutory
material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
Report Title:
Certificates of Inspection; License Plates; Obstruction; Enforcement
Description:
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)
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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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1510 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 286-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending subsection (e) to read:
"(e) Upon application for a
certificate of inspection to be issued for a vehicle or moped, an inspection as
prescribed by the director under subsection (g) shall be conducted on the
vehicle or moped. [If] A certificate
of inspection shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the
director if the vehicle or moped is found to be in safe operating
condition, including [adhering to head lamp requirements and
specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable, and is not]:
(1) Not being equipped with a
muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section 291-24 or 291-24.5,
as applicable[, a certificate of inspection
shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the director.];
(2) Adhering to head lamp requirements and specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable; and
(3) Not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73, as applicable.
The certificate shall state the effective date, termination date, name of the issuing insurance carrier, policy number of the motor vehicle insurance identification card for the inspected motor vehicle as specified by section 431:10C-107 or state the information contained in the proof of insurance card as specified by section 431:10G-106, and the odometer reading of the vehicle on the date of inspection. A sticker, authorized by the director, shall be affixed to the vehicle or moped at the time a certificate of inspection is issued. An inspection sticker that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed shall be replaced without reinspection by the inspection station that issued the original inspection sticker upon presentation of the current certificate of inspection; provided that the current certificate of inspection and inspection sticker shall not have expired at the time the replacement is requested. The director shall adopt rules to determine the fee for replacement of lost, stolen, or destroyed inspection stickers."
2. By amending subsection (g) to read:
"(g) The director of transportation shall adopt
necessary rules for the administration of inspections and the issuance of
certificates of inspection; provided that the rules shall[:], at a
minimum:
(1) [At a minimum,
require] Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle or moped is
not equipped with a muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section
291-24 or 291-24.5, as applicable; [and]
(2) Include head lamp
requirements that adhere to the specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a),
as applicable[.]; and
(3) Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle is not equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73."
SECTION 2. Section 286-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§286-73[]] Obstruction
of a license plate; prohibited.
(a) The use of any cover or shield
installed over a vehicle's license plate, regardless of transparency or intent,
shall be prohibited.
(b)
Any person, seller, or dealership who violates this section shall
be fined no less than [$500 and no more than] $1,000 for each
offense. Each day of violation shall
constitute a separate offense.
(c) In addition to any person authorized to enforce this chapter, any person authorized by the State or a county to enforce parking violations, including any person authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency, may issue a citation for a violation of this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section,
"cover" or "shield" means any device, material, or [film—whether]
film, whether clear, tinted, mirrored, reflective, or otherwise,
that is installed over or affixed to a license plate[, and is intended to
alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of the
license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems]."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken. New statutory
material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Certificates of Inspection; License Plates; Obstruction; Enforcement
Description:
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 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1510 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 286-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending subsection (e) to read:
"(e) Upon application for a
certificate of inspection to be issued for a vehicle or moped, an inspection as
prescribed by the director under subsection (g) shall be conducted on the
vehicle or moped. [If] A certificate
of inspection shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the
director if the vehicle or moped is found to be in safe operating
condition, including [adhering to head lamp requirements and
specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable, and is not]:
(1) Not being equipped with a
muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section 291-24 or 291-24.5,
as applicable[, a certificate of inspection
shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the director.];
(2) Adhering to head lamp requirements and specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable; and
(3) Not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73, as applicable.
The certificate shall state the effective date, termination date, name of the issuing insurance carrier, policy number of the motor vehicle insurance identification card for the inspected motor vehicle as specified by section 431:10C-107 or state the information contained in the proof of insurance card as specified by section 431:10G-106, and the odometer reading of the vehicle on the date of inspection. A sticker, authorized by the director, shall be affixed to the vehicle or moped at the time a certificate of inspection is issued. An inspection sticker that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed shall be replaced without reinspection by the inspection station that issued the original inspection sticker upon presentation of the current certificate of inspection; provided that the current certificate of inspection and inspection sticker shall not have expired at the time the replacement is requested. The director shall adopt rules to determine the fee for replacement of lost, stolen, or destroyed inspection stickers."
2. By amending subsection (g) to read:
"(g) The director of transportation shall adopt
necessary rules for the administration of inspections and the issuance of
certificates of inspection; provided that the rules shall[:], at a
minimum:
(1) [At a minimum,
require] Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle or moped is
not equipped with a muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section
291-24 or 291-24.5, as applicable; [and]
(2) Include head lamp
requirements that adhere to the specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a),
as applicable[.]; and
(3) Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle is not equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73."
SECTION 2. Section 286-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§286-73[]] Obstruction
of a license plate; prohibited.
(a) The use of any cover or shield
installed over a vehicle's license plate, regardless of transparency or intent,
shall be prohibited.
(b)
Any person, seller, or dealership who violates this section shall
be fined no less than [$500 and no more than] $1,000 for each
offense. Each day of violation shall
constitute a separate offense.
(c) In addition to any person authorized to enforce this chapter, any person authorized by the State or a county to enforce parking violations, including any person authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency, may issue a citation for a violation of this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section,
"cover" or "shield" means any device, material, or [film—whether]
film, whether clear, tinted, mirrored, reflective, or otherwise,
that is installed over or affixed to a license plate[, and is intended to
alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of the
license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems]."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken. New statutory
material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Certificates of Inspection; License Plates; Obstruction; Enforcement
Description:
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. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1510 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 286-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending subsection (e) to read:
"(e) Upon application for a
certificate of inspection to be issued for a vehicle or moped, an inspection as
prescribed by the director under subsection (g) shall be conducted on the
vehicle or moped. [If] A certificate
of inspection shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the
director if the vehicle or moped is found to be in safe operating
condition, including [adhering to head lamp requirements and
specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable, and is not]:
(1) Not being equipped with a
muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section 291-24 or 291-24.5,
as applicable[, a certificate of inspection
shall be issued upon payment of a fee to be determined by the director.];
(2) Adhering to head lamp requirements and specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a), as applicable; and
(3) Not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73, as applicable.
The certificate shall state the effective date, termination date, name of the issuing insurance carrier, policy number of the motor vehicle insurance identification card for the inspected motor vehicle as specified by section 431:10C-107 or state the information contained in the proof of insurance card as specified by section 431:10G-106, and the odometer reading of the vehicle on the date of inspection. A sticker, authorized by the director, shall be affixed to the vehicle or moped at the time a certificate of inspection is issued. An inspection sticker that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed shall be replaced without reinspection by the inspection station that issued the original inspection sticker upon presentation of the current certificate of inspection; provided that the current certificate of inspection and inspection sticker shall not have expired at the time the replacement is requested. The director shall adopt rules to determine the fee for replacement of lost, stolen, or destroyed inspection stickers."
2. By amending subsection (g) to read:
"(g) The director of transportation shall adopt
necessary rules for the administration of inspections and the issuance of
certificates of inspection; provided that the rules shall[:], at a
minimum:
(1) [At a minimum,
require] Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle or moped is
not equipped with a muffler or exhaust system that fails to comply with section
291-24 or 291-24.5, as applicable; [and]
(2) Include head lamp
requirements that adhere to the specifications pursuant to section 291-25(a),
as applicable[.]; and
(3) Require inspections to ensure that a vehicle is not equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate pursuant to section 286-73."
SECTION 2. Section 286-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§286-73[]] Obstruction
of a license plate; prohibited.
(a) The use of any cover or shield
installed over a vehicle's license plate, regardless of transparency or intent,
shall be prohibited.
(b)
Any person, seller, or dealership who violates this section shall
be fined no less than [$500 and no more than] $1,000 for each
offense. Each day of violation shall
constitute a separate offense.
(c) In addition to any person authorized to enforce this chapter, any person authorized by the State or a county to enforce parking violations may issue a citation for a violation of this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section,
"cover" or "shield" means any device, material, or [film—whether]
film, whether clear, tinted, mirrored, reflective, or otherwise,
that is installed over or affixed to a license plate[, and is intended to
alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of the
license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems]."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Certificates of Inspection; License Plates; Obstruction; Enforcement
Description:
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 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.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Act 012, on 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1112). |
| May 14, 2026 | Act 012, 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1112). |
| Apr 24, 2026 | Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 823). |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Transmitted to Governor. |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 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). |
| Apr 23, 2026 | House agrees to Senate amendment(s). |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 814). |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Reconsideration of action taken on 04-14-26. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599). |
| Apr 14, 2026 | House disagrees with Senate amendment (s). |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 520) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | One Day Notice 04-10-26. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3655) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 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. |
| Mar 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-31-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Reported from TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3111) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 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. |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS has rescheduled its public hearing to 03-17-26 3:00PM; CR 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-17-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Referred to TRS, JDC. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 232). |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 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. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1171-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Cochran, Kahaloa, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Hashem, Sayama. |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-05-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 438-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Cochran, Evslin, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Grandinetti. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 02-12-26 8:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 1 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 14, 2026 | Prefiled. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2026 | Final Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 10, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
|
| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
|
| Mar 10, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
|
| Mar 5, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
|
| Feb 12, 2026 | The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | ** Support | |
| Department of Transportation | ** Support | |
| Department of Transportation, State of Hawaiʻi | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1171-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1510
H.D. 2
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1510, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Condition the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate;
(2) Amend the penalty for obstruction of a license plate;
(3) Allow 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; and
(4) Repeal 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.
Your Committee finds that license plate visibility is essential for traffic enforcement, roadway safety, and accurate identification of vehicles during incidents or violations. Your Committee further finds that the use of license plate covers or shields, regardless of transparency or claimed purpose, creates enforcement challenges and undermines public safety by obscuring or altering the visibility of identifying information. This measure seeks to improve compliance and strengthen statewide roadway safety.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1510, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1510, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 438-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1510
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1510 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Condition the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate;
(2) Amend the penalty for obstruction of a license plate;
(3) Allow state or county parking enforcement officers to issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate; and
(4) Repeal 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.
Your Committee finds that unobstructed license plates are essential for effective law enforcement, traffic safety, and the proper functioning of automated traffic enforcement systems. The use of covers or shields over license plates, regardless of transparency or intent, can impede the visibility and legibility of license plate information, undermining accountability and public safety. While existing law has proven difficult to enforce due to the requirement to demonstrate intent to obscure or interfere with identification, this measure strengthens enforcement mechanisms and promotes clearer vehicle identification statewide.
Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that any person authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency may issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1510, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1510, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
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____________________________ DARIUS KILA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 31, 2026 | HB1510_SD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_03-31-26_.PDF |
| Mar 17, 2026 | HB1510_HD2_TESTIMONY_TRS_03-17-26_.PDF |
| Mar 5, 2026 | HB1510_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_03-05-26_.PDF |
| Feb 12, 2026 | HB1510_TESTIMONY_TRN_02-12-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
26SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
5MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
5MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
31SEC
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Transportation
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
