HB 230: RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-165, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  In every case when a citation is issued, the original of the citation shall be given to the violator[;] and a carbon copy of the citation shall be sent by certified or registered mail, with a return receipt that is postmarked within five business days of the time of the incident, to the registered owner of the vehicle at the address on record at the vehicle licensing division; provided that:

     (1)  In the case of an unattended vehicle, the original of the citation shall be affixed to the vehicle as provided for in section 291C-167; or

     (2)  In the case of:

          (A)  A vehicle utilizing the high occupancy vehicle lane illegally; or

          (B)  A vehicle illegally utilizing a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities, where the violator refuses the citation,

the original of the citation shall be sent by certified or registered mail, with a return receipt that is postmarked within forty-eight hours of the time of the incident, as provided in section 291C-223 for vehicles illegally utilizing the high occupancy vehicle lane, or within seventy-two hours of the time of the incident for vehicles illegally utilizing a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities, to the registered owner of the vehicle at the address on record at the vehicle licensing division.  If the end of the applicable forty-eight or seventy-two hour period or five business days falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then the ending period shall run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday; provided that the administrative judge of the district courts may allow a carbon copy of the citation to be given to the violator or affixed to the vehicle and provide for the disposition of the original and any other copies of the citation."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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:

Traffic Infractions; Citations or Summons

Description:

Requires police officers to send a carbon copy of a citation to the registered owner of a vehicle within five business days after the citation is issued.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to traffic citations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-165, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  In every case when a citation is issued, the original of the citation shall be given to the violator[;] and a carbon copy of the citation shall be sent by certified or registered mail, with a return receipt that is postmarked within      hours of the time of the incident, to the registered owner of the vehicle at the address on record at the vehicle licensing division; provided that:

     (1)  In the case of an unattended vehicle, the original of the citation shall be affixed to the vehicle as provided for in section 291C-167; or

     (2)  In the case of:

          (A)  A vehicle utilizing the high occupancy vehicle lane illegally; or

          (B)  A vehicle illegally utilizing a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities, where the violator refuses the citation,

the original of the citation shall be sent by certified or registered mail, with a return receipt that is postmarked within forty-eight hours of the time of the incident, as provided in section 291C-223 for vehicles illegally utilizing the high occupancy vehicle lane, or within seventy-two hours of the time of the incident for vehicles illegally utilizing a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities, to the registered owner of the vehicle at the address on record at the vehicle licensing division.  If the end of the applicable forty-eight [or], seventy-two, or      hour period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then the ending period shall run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday; provided that the administrative judge of the district courts may allow a carbon copy of the citation to be given to the violator or affixed to the vehicle and provide for the disposition of the original and any other copies of the citation."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     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:

Traffic Infractions; Citations or Summons

Description:

Requires police officers to send a carbon copy of a citation to the registered owner of a vehicle within a certain time frame after the citation is issued.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  382

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 230

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 230 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require police officers to send a carbon copy of a citation to the registered owner of a vehicle within a certain time frame after the citation is issued.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Matson Navigation Company, Inc; and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Police Department.

     Your Committee finds that timely notification of traffic violations to vehicle owners is critical for ensuring accountability and proper citation processing.  However, existing procedures do not consistently specify deadlines for mailing citations in all cases, potentially causing delays in notifying registered vehicle owners.  This measure clarifies and standardizes the timeframes for sending citations by mail, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of traffic law enforcement.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the carbon copy of the citation shall be sent by certified or registered mail with a return receipt postmarked within five business days of the time of the incident;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 230, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 230, 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,