SB 1096: License Plate Flipping Device; Prohibition; Fine; Motor Vehicles

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 license plate flipping devices are manual, electric, or mechanical devices that can be installed on motor vehicles in order to switch between two or more license plates or hide a license plate from view.  The legislature further finds that these devices can be used to prevent law enforcement from identifying a vehicle.  These devices create a significant nuisance for law enforcement officials and pose a threat to public safety.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the use of license plate flipping devices.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§286-    License plate flipping devices; prohibited.  (a)  No person shall operate a motor vehicle with, possess, purchase, install, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise distribute a license plate flipping device.

     (b)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $2,000 for each separate violation.

     (c)  For the purpose of this section "license plate flipping device" means a manual, electric, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle that:

     (1)  Switches between two or more license plates for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the license plate displayed on the operator's motor vehicle; or

     (2)  Hides a license plate from view by flipping the license plate so that the plate number is not visible."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

License Plate Flipping Device; Prohibition; Fine; Motor Vehicles

Description:

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices.  Establishes a $2,000 fine for each separate violation.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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 License plates.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that license plate flipping devices are manual, electric, or mechanical devices that can be installed on motor vehicles in order to switch between two or more license plates or hide a license plate from view.  The legislature further finds that these devices can be used to prevent law enforcement from identifying a vehicle.  These devices create a significant nuisance for law enforcement officials and pose a threat to public safety.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the use of license plate flipping devices.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§286-     License plate flipping devices; prohibited.  (a)  No person shall operate a motor vehicle with, possess, purchase, install, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise distribute a license plate flipping device.

     (b)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any person who violates this section shall be fined no more than $2,000 for each separate violation.

     (c)  For the purpose of this section "license plate flipping device" means a manual, electric, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle that:

     (1)  Switches between two or more license plates for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the license plate displayed on the operator's motor vehicle; or

     (2)  Hides a license plate from view by flipping the license plate so that the plate number is not visible."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

License Plate Flipping Device; Prohibition; Fine; Motor Vehicles

Description:

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices.  Establishes a $2,000 fine for each separate violation.

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. 897

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1096

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1096 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Prohibit the operation of a motor vehicle with, possess, purchase, install, sell, offer for sale, or distribute license plate flipping devices; and

     (2)  Establish a $2,000 fine for each separate violation.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and one individual.

     Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that license plate flipping devices can be installed on motor vehicles to switch between multiple license plates or hide a license plate from view, preventing proper vehicle identification and allowing drivers to evade recognition.  These devices endanger public safety by obscuring those sought by law enforcement, thereby facilitating emboldened criminal activity.  This measure will protect the public by prohibiting the use of license plate flipping devices and establishing penalties.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1096, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1096, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 258

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1096

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. 1096 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 prohibit the use of license plate flipping devices.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Honolulu Police Department.

     Your Committee finds that license plate flipping devices are manual, electric, or mechanical devices that can be installed on motor vehicles in order to switch between two or more license plates or hide a license plate from view.  These devices prevent the proper identification of a vehicle and pose a threat to the community because they allow drivers to evade identification while operating a vehicle that is being operated illegally or is being sought by law enforcement.  For instance, license plate flipping devices can be used to hide vehicles involved in traffic violations, such as running a red light, which in some areas are monitored by automated cameras, to crimes including reckless driving, driving under the influence, or fleeing the scene of an accident.  This measure will improve public safety on the State's roads and highways by prohibiting the use of license plate flipping devices.

     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. 1096 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary.

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