Hawaii-2024-SB1090-Introduced

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's rainbow license plate design is nearing the end of its current numbering pattern and will need to be changed. The legislature further finds that electric vehicle adoption is growing exponentially, with many major car manufacturers phasing out gasoline-powered cars completely by 2035. As a result, Hawaii's temporary electric vehicle license plate numbering scheme will also soon need to be changed.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Replace the electric vehicle special number plate with a new, standard zero-emission vehicle number plate that will eventually apply to nearly all new vehicles;

(2) Renumbering and extending the run of the current rainbow design-bearing number plates for gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles; and

(3) Requiring the department of transportation to amend its administrative rules to authorize the use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes by zero-emission vehicles and subsequently repeal on January 1, 2035, any provisions authorizing the use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes by zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicles.

SECTION 2. Section 249-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The number plates hereinabove referred to shall be used upon all vehicles for which a tax has been paid pursuant to sections 249-1 to 249-13. All [~~such~~] number plates shall:

(1) [~~Bear~~] If issued before January 1, 2025, bear the word "Hawaii" along the upper portion of the plate and the words "Aloha State" along the lower portion of the plate;

(2) If issued on or after January 1, 2025, for affixture on:

(A) A zero-emission vehicle, bear the word "Hawaii" along the upper portion of the plate and the words "Aloha State" along the lower portion of the plate and contain a colorful design reflecting the State's unique environment;

(B) A hybrid vehicle, bear the word "Hawaii" along the upper portion of the plate and the words "hybrid vehicle" on any portion of the plate as may be determined by the directors of finance of each county through majority consent and use the rainbow design featured on number plates, except special number plates, issued in the State beginning in 1991; and

(C) A gasoline-powered vehicle, bear the word "Hawaii" along the upper portion of the plate and the words "gas vehicle" on any portion of the plate and use the rainbow design featured on number plates, except special number plates, issued in the State beginning in 1991;

[~~(2)~~] (3) Have a distinct contrast between the color of the plate and the numerals and letters thereon; and

[~~(3)~~] (4) Be of such shape, size, and color, and with such arrangements of letters and numbers as may, subject to sections 249-1 to 249-13, be determined by the directors of finance of each county through majority consent.

The numerals on all such plates shall be not less than three inches in height and the strokes thereof not less than three- eighths inch in width, except in the case of motorcycles, in which case the numerals shall not be less than one inch in height and the strokes thereof not less than one-eighth inch in width. The directors of finance of each county through majority consent may include on any number plate appropriate diacritical marks.

The director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu shall contract annually on behalf of the counties for the purchase of all number plates, tags, or emblems required. The council of each county shall appropriate and cause to be paid over to the party with whom the director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu shall contract, or to the director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu as the director may direct, such sum or sums as the director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu shall determine to be the county's proportionate share of the expense of such contract and the charges connected therewith. The contract shall be made by the director of finance of the city and county of Honolulu as agent of the several counties, and the proportionate liability of each county shall be stated in the contract. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the contract shall constitute a valid obligation of each county for its proportionate share."

SECTION 3. The directors of finance of each county shall issue a new series of number plates for any number plates issued pursuant section 249-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for affixture to hybrid vehicles pursuant to section 249-9(a)(2)(B), Hawaii Revised Statutes, or gasoline-powered vehicles pursuant to section 249-9(a)(2)(C), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 4. The department of transportation shall adopt or amend its rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to:

(1) Authorize the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes by zero-emission vehicles regardless of the number of persons in the vehicle; and

(2) On January 1, 2035, repeal any provision authorizing the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes by zero‑emission vehicles and electric vehicles regardless of the number of persons in the vehicles.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 of this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DOT; Number Plates; Zero-Emission Vehicles; Hybrid Vehicles; Gasoline-Powered Vehicles; Rules; High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes

Description:

Establishes requirements for number plates issued for zero-emission, hybrid, and gasoline-powered vehicles beginning 1/1/2025. Requires the continued use of the rainbow number plate design for hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles. Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt or amend its administrative rules to authorize the use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes by zero-emission vehicles and repeal on 1/1/2035 any provision authorizing the use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes by zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicles.

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

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1090
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII