HB 2347: Mobile Vehicle Safety Inspections; Pilot Program; Department of Transportation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of transportation may implement a pilot program for mobile vehicle safety inspections that allows mobile vehicle safety inspections for passenger cars to be conducted at any location determined by the vehicle owner and inspector; provided that each county shall have one participating operator who is authorized to conduct mobile vehicle safety inspections; provided further that for any county that consists of more than one island, there shall be one participating operator who is authorized to conduct mobile vehicle safety inspections per island.

     (b)  The director of transportation may:

     (1)  Appoint up to three inspectors to support the pilot program; and

     (2)  Raise the price of the mobile vehicle safety inspections as part of the pilot program.

     (c)  The department of transportation may adopt rules necessary for the implementation of the pilot program.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000; provided that:

     (1)  The pilot program established pursuant to section 1 of this Act shall commence one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this Act; and

     (2)  The pilot program shall be repealed on June 30, 2030.

Report Title:

Mobile Vehicle Safety Inspections; Pilot Program; Department of Transportation

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to implement a pilot program to allow for mobile vehicle safety inspections for passenger cars.  Establishes a four-year sunset date on the pilot program.  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 Vehicle Safety.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 286-209, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The director shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for motor carrier vehicle safety inspections, the issuance of certificates of safety inspection, the affixing of motor carrier vehicle safety inspection decals, and the acceptance of certificates of safety inspection issued in other jurisdictions.  Rules for motor carrier vehicle safety inspections shall allow for mobile vehicle safety inspections to be conducted at any location determined by the vehicle owner and inspector."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Vehicle Safety Inspections; Mobile

Description:

Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules allowing for mobile vehicle safety inspections.

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.  543-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2347

      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. 2347 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Director of Transportation to adopt rules allowing for mobile vehicle safety inspections.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from five individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

     Your Committee finds that the motor carrier vehicle safety inspection system, which limits inspections to licensed fixed locations, has resulted in significant access challenges for vehicle owners, including long lines, limited appointments, staffing shortages, traffic congestion, and instances where inspectors are unavailable.  Allowing inspections to be conducted at mutually agreed-upon locations could improve efficiency and convenience without altering existing safety standards, provided that appropriate safeguards are in place.  Accordingly, authorizing the Director of Transportation to establish a pilot program for mobile motor carrier vehicle safety inspections will allow for further evaluation of the feasibility, effectiveness, and overall impact of permitting inspections outside of fixed facilities before considering broader implementation.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting language that would have required the Director of Transportation to adopt rules allowing for mobile vehicle safety inspections;

     (2)  Authorizing the Department of Transportation to:

          (A)  Implement a pilot program for mobile vehicle safety inspections for passenger cars, with one participating operator in each county and on each island;

          (B)  Appoint up to three inspectors for the pilot program; and

          (C)  Raise the price of mobile vehicle safety inspections for the pilot program;

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

     (4)  Delaying the commencement of the pilot program by one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this measure;

     (5)  Inserting a sunset date of June 30, 2030, for the pilot program; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of 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. 2347, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2347, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,