THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2665
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 249-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Upon an original registration the director of finance shall fix, and shall charge to the owner, a fee equal to the cost of the number plate and tag or emblem plus the administrative cost of furnishing the plate and tag or emblem and effecting the registration.  Upon the issuance of a new series of number plates as determined by the directors of finance of each county through majority consent, the director of finance shall charge the owner a fee equal to the costs of the number plate plus the administrative cost of furnishing the plates.  Upon issuing a tag or emblem, the director of finance shall charge the owner a fee of 50 cents.  The owner shall securely fasten the number plates on the vehicle, one on the front and the other on the rear, at a location provided by the manufacturer or in the absence of such a location upon the bumpers of the vehicle and in conformance with section 291-31, in such a manner as to prevent the plates from swinging.

     Number plates shall at all times be displayed entirely [unobscured] not covered by a license plate cover and kept reasonably clean[.]; provided that a license plate frame shall be permitted if the frame does not obscure any letters or numbers on the number plate.  Any person who operates a motor vehicle with a number plate that has been covered by a license plate cover shall be fined $250.  In the case of trailers, semitrailers, or motorcycles, one plate shall be used and it shall be fastened to the rear thereof at a location provided by the manufacturer or in the absence of such a location at the rear thereof, and in the case of motorcycles in conformance with section 291-31.

For purposes of this subsection, "license plate cover" means any tinted, colored, painted, marked, clear, or illuminated object that is designed to cover or distort the number plate."

     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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

License Plates; Covering; Fine

Description:

Permits the use of license plate frames if they do not obscure any letters or numbers on the number plate.  Establishes a fine for operating a motor vehicle with a number plate that has been covered by a license plate cover.  Defines "license plate cover".

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