THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	150
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO UPDATE the design and format of vehicle registration PLATES IN RESPONSE TO GROWING ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND HYBRID VEHICLE SALES.

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State to effectively manage the distribution and circulation of vehicle registration plates, also known as license plates or number plates, especially as consumer trends in the automotive industry rapidly change; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's rainbow license plate design is nearing the end of its current numbering pattern and will need to change; and

WHEREAS, the people of the State are seeking alternatives to gasoline-powered vehicles as gasoline prices rise and harmful emissions continue to warm our climate; and

WHEREAS, hybrid vehicle sales have been increasing as consumers view these vehicles as a convenient middle ground between conventional gasoline-powered vehicles and electric vehicles; and

WHEREAS, electric vehicle adoption is growing exponentially, with many major car manufacturers phasing out gasoline-powered cars completely by 2035; and

WHEREAS, as a result, Hawaii's temporary electric vehicle license plate numbering scheme needs to be changed to keep up with this demand; and

WHEREAS, electric vehicle license plates in the State currently use four characters, three of which are numbers and one of which is a letter; and

WHEREAS, at the current pace of electric vehicle sales, the current alphanumeric scheme will last for only five years; and

WHEREAS, updating the present license plate schemes is necessary to accommodate shifting trends for electric, hybrid, and gasoline-powered vehicle sales in the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the counties are requested to update the design and format of vehicle registration plates in response to the growing electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle sales; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that beginning January 1, 2025, that the Director of Finance of each county is requested to issue number plates in the following manner:

(1) Number plates for electric vehicles should 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;

(2) Number plates for hybrid vehicles should bear the word "Hawaii" on the upper portion of the plate and the words "hybrid 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; and

(3) Number plates for gasoline-powered vehicles should 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the mayors of each county and the directors of finance of each county.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Counties; Number Plates; License Plates; Electric Vehicles; Hybrid Vehicles; Gasoline-powered Vehicles