SB 1095: Special Number Plates; Decals; Counties

Current Status:

In Progress

(2025-05-27: Act 091, on 05/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1191).)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

What does this bill do?

This bill increases the allowed decal size on special license plates from 3 inches by 3 inches to 4 inches by 4 inches, affecting organizations that seek special plates and the county finance offices that issue them. The director of finance for Honolulu, working with other county finance directors, will set the design rules for those decals.

Version:

Increases the decal size restrictions for special number plates. (CD1)

Version:

SB1095 CD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1095
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that numerous private organizations have attempted to amend existing law to enable special number plates with full-plate designs to raise revenue for their causes. While successful in some cases, the legislature also finds that the county agencies responsible for issuing license plates bear significant burden contracting to produce new license plates each time a new license plate law is adopted. In addition, creating a full-plate design requires acquiring non-standard specialized license plates, which can cause complications with procurement and cost.

The legislature further finds that existing law allows private organizations to apply for and have license plate designs based on decals added to standard license plates limited to three inches wide by three inches high, which can raise revenue for their causes, without having to change the law, or add burden to the counties.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to reduce the burden on organizations attempting to amend special number plate statutes and the counties attempting to implement special number plate requirements by expanding the existing decal size restrictions.

SECTION 2. Section 249-9.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) In lieu of the number plates contracted on behalf of the counties by the director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu, the county directors of finance shall issue special number plates to any organization in the State that meets the minimum standards and qualifications established under this section. Organizations are authorized to retain the fees collected, less expenses, for the special number plates.

The director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu, in consultation with the directors of finance of the counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii, shall establish special design parameters and restrictions for decals or graphic representations affixable to special number plates; provided that the decal shall not be larger than [~~three~~] four inches wide by [~~three~~] four inches high."

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:

Special Number Plates; Decals; Counties

Description:

Increases the decal size restrictions for special number plates. (CD1)

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

SB1095 HD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1095
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

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

SECTION 2. Section 249-9.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

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:

Special Number Plates; Decals; Counties

Description:

Increases the decal size restrictions for special number plates. 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.

SB1095 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1095
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
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. The legislature finds that numerous private organizations have attempted to amend existing law to enable special number plates with full-plate designs to raise revenue for their causes. While successful in some cases, the legislature also finds that the county agencies responsible for issuing license plates bear significant burden contracting to produce new license plates each time a new license plate law is adopted. In addition, creating a full-plate design requires acquiring non-standard specialized license plates that can cause complications with procurement and cost.

The legislature further finds that existing statute allows private organizations to apply for and have license plate designs based on decals added to standard license plates limited to three inches wide by three inches high, which can raise revenue for their causes, without having to change the law, or add burden to the counties.

SECTION 2. Section 249-9.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

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:

Special Number Plates; Decals; Counties

Description:

Increases the decal size restrictions for special number plates. (SD1)

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 27, 2025	Act 091, on 05/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1191).
May 27, 2025	Act 091, 05/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1191).
May 2, 2025	Enrolled to Governor.
May 2, 2025	Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).
May 1, 2025	Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).
Apr 30, 2025	Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick excused (2).
Apr 30, 2025	Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none).
Apr 24, 2025	Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.
Apr 24, 2025	Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 92) as amended in (CD 1).
Apr 24, 2025	48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25.
Apr 24, 2025	Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 92).
Apr 24, 2025	The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Poepoe, Grandinetti; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Muraoka.
Apr 24, 2025	The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Elefante, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.
Apr 23, 2025	Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-25 10:35AM; Conference Room 329.
Apr 22, 2025	Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 863).
Apr 22, 2025	Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chair; Elefante, Inouye, DeCorte.
Apr 21, 2025	Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 757).
Apr 17, 2025	House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Poepoe Co-Chairs; Grandinetti, Muraoka.
Apr 3, 2025	Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 481).
Apr 3, 2025	Senate disagrees with House amendments.
Apr 3, 2025	Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 442).
Apr 2, 2025	Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
Apr 2, 2025	Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1754), recommending passage on Third Reading.
Mar 28, 2025	The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
Mar 25, 2025	Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Friday, 03-28-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Mar 18, 2025	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 Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
Mar 18, 2025	Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1316) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
Mar 13, 2025	The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Grandinetti, Evslin, Kitagawa, Miyake, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, La Chica, Pierick.
Mar 11, 2025	Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 03-13-25 9:00AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Mar 6, 2025	Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 19
Mar 6, 2025	Pass First Reading
Mar 4, 2025	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 257) in amended form (SD 1).
Mar 4, 2025	Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
Feb 28, 2025	48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
Feb 28, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).
Feb 28, 2025	Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 809) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
Feb 18, 2025	The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Feb 6, 2025	The committee(s) on TCA deferred the measure until 02-18-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 224.
Feb 4, 2025	The committee(s) on TCA deferred the measure until 02-06-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 224.
Jan 30, 2025	The committee(s) on TCA deferred the measure until 02-04-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224.
Jan 27, 2025	The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
Jan 23, 2025	Referred to TCA.
Jan 21, 2025	Passed First Reading.
Jan 17, 2025	Introduced.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Apr 30, 2025	Final Reading	House Floor	48 0 2 Passed
Apr 30, 2025	Final Reading	Senate Floor	24 1 0 Passed
Apr 2, 2025	Third Reading	House Floor	49 0 1 Passed
Mar 28, 2025	The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs	10 0 1 Passed
Mar 13, 2025	The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	House Standing Committee on Transportation	6 0 3 Passed
Mar 4, 2025	Third Reading	Senate Floor	25 0 0 Passed
Feb 18, 2025	The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

CCR92 SMA CCR Ainoa Naniole 2 13 2002-04-19T03:33:00Z 2025-04-25T09:44:00Z 2025-04-25T09:44:00Z 2 410 2191 CCR Template, revision no. 00004 21928 93 37 2584 16.00 00004 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 92

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1095

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to reduce the burden on organizations attempting to amend special number plate statutes and the counties attempting to implement special number plate requirements by expanding the existing decal size restrictions.

Your Committee on Conference finds that private organizations have attempted to amend existing law to enable special number plates with full-plate designs to raise revenue for their causes. However, the county agencies responsible for issuing license plates bear significant burden contracting to produce new license plates each time a new license plate law is adopted. Your Committee on Conference further finds that existing law allows private organizations to apply for and have license plate designs based on decals added to standard license plates limited to a certain size, which can raise revenue for their causes, without having to change the law or further burdening the counties. This measure increases the existing decal size restrictions to reduce the burden on organizations attempting to amend special number plate law and the counties attempting to implement special number plate requirements.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DARIUS KILA Co-Chair		____________________________ CHRIS LEE Chair
____________________________ MAHINA POEPOE Co-Chair

HSCR1754 Administrator HSCR.dotm Shelby Ichiyama 2 20 2025-03-29T01:46:00Z 2025-04-02T02:18:00Z 2025-04-02T02:18:00Z 2 288 1568 HSCR template, revision no. 00005 23065 69 23 1856 16.00 00005 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1754

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1095

S.D. 1

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, 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 increase the decal size

restrictions for special number plates.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that although special number plates with full-plate designs have been used to raise revenue for certain causes, these special number plates create administrative burdens and challenges with the procurement process for the county agencies responsible for issuing new plates. Your Committee further finds that under existing law, private organizations can apply for and have license plate designs based on decals of a certain size that can be added to standard license plates. This alternative approach allows these organizations to raise revenue for their causes without increasing the administrative burden on the counties. Therefore, your Committee believes that enlarging the existing decal size restrictions will reduce the burden on organizations attempting to personalize special number plates for their causes.

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 S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair

HSCR1316 Administrator HSCR.dotm clerk2 2 2 2025-03-14T18:26:00Z 2025-03-18T01:51:00Z 2025-03-18T01:51:00Z 2 290 1603 HSCR template, revision no. 00005 23195 75 25 1893 16.00 00005 Print 89 0 0 false false false EN-US KO X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1316

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1095

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 1095, S.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 increase the decal size restrictions for special number plates.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that while special number plates with full-plate designs have been used to raise funds for various causes, they create administrative burdens and procurement challenges for county agencies. Expanding the allowable decal size will offer organizations greater visibility and fundraising opportunities while minimizing costs and logistical complications for the counties.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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 S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, 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,

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair

SSCR809 SMA SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 6 2025-02-20T22:37:00Z 2025-02-28T01:02:00Z 2025-02-28T01:02:00Z 2 329 1703 House of Representatives 21531 74 24 2030 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 809

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1095

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1095 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to remove the decal size restrictions for special number plates.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of special number plates for motor vehicles is overseen by the Director of Finance of the City and County of Honolulu and the county directors of finance of the counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii. Existing statute strictly regulates the size, design, and graphics authorized to be on a special number plate. Your Committee believes that existing law is restricting the artistic ingenuity in the creative process of designing a special number plate. Therefore, this measure will increase the decal size restrictions to allow artistic freedom in special number plate design.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Increasing the special design size parameters for decals on special number plates to be not larger than four inches wide by four inches high;

(2) Inserting legislative findings; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1095, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Mar 28, 2025	SB1095_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_03-28-25_.PDF
Mar 13, 2025	SB1095_SD1_TESTIMONY_TRN_03-13-25_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

1MIN

Authors shown for version:
SB1095_CD1 (4/24/2025)

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

SB 1095: Special Number Plates; Decals; Counties

Current Status:

What does this bill do?

Conference Committee

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

House Standing Committee on Housing

House Standing Committee on Transportation

Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts