HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	480
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

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

SECTION 1. Section 286-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "special interest vehicle" to read as follows:

""Special interest vehicle" means a vehicle [of any age] that[,] is at least thirty-five years old or is modified to resemble a vehicle that is at least thirty-five years old and, because of its significance, is being collected, preserved, restored, or maintained by a collector. [The term] "Special interest vehicle" includes a street rod vehicle and a street rod replica vehicle, as those terms are defined in section 286‑26.5[; a vehicle manufactured before 1968; and a vehicle manufactured after 1967 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1968]."

SECTION 2. Section 286-26.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§286-26.5 Special interest vehicles. (a) As used in this section:

"Collector" means an owner of one or more vehicles, including parts vehicles, who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of a vehicle or its parts, for the owner's own use, to preserve, restore, and maintain the vehicle or another vehicle for hobby or historical purposes.

"Parts vehicle" means a vehicle that is owned by a collector to furnish parts for the restoration or maintenance of a special interest vehicle.

"Street rod replica vehicle" means a vehicle that was assembled from a manufactured kit, either as:

(1) A complete kit to construct a new vehicle consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis;

(2) Components manufactured [before 1968;] at least thirty-five years before the date the component is being sold; or

(3) Components manufactured [after 1967 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1968;] to resemble a vehicle that is at least thirty-five years old;

and that has been modified in its body style or design through the use of nonoriginal or reproduction components, such as the frame, engine, drive train, suspension, or brakes, in a manner that does not adversely affect its safe performance as a motor vehicle or render the vehicle unlawful for use on public highways.

"Street rod vehicle" means a vehicle that was:

(1) Manufactured [before 1968;] at least thirty-five years before the date the vehicle is being registered as a street rod vehicle; or

(2) Manufactured [after 1967 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1968;] to resemble a vehicle that is at least thirty-five years old;

and that has been modified in its body style or design through the use of nonoriginal or reproduction components, such as the frame, engine, drive train, suspension, or brakes, in a manner that does not adversely affect its safe performance as a motor vehicle or render the vehicle unlawful for use on public highways. [The term] "Street rod vehicle" does not include a motorcycle, an antique vehicle, or a restored vehicle.

(b) If a street rod vehicle was manufactured [before 1968] at least thirty-five years before the date the vehicle is being or was registered as a street rod vehicle and has been modified in body style or design, the make and year of the vehicle shall be the year the vehicle most nearly resembles. If a street rod vehicle was manufactured [after 1967] to resemble a vehicle [manufactured before 1968,] that is at least thirty-five years old, the body type of the vehicle shall be street rod vehicle or "STRD".

(c) A state vehicle identification number shall be issued to a street rod vehicle that was manufactured [after 1967] to resemble a vehicle [manufactured before 1968,] that is at least thirty-five years old, when no vehicle identification number is present on the vehicle; when more than one vehicle identification number is present on the vehicle; or when the vehicle identification number is absent from the body or frame, or both, of the vehicle. The state vehicle identification number shall be assigned by the director of finance of the county in which the vehicle resides; provided that [not] no more than one hundred vehicle identification numbers shall be issued annually.

To obtain a state vehicle identification number under this subsection, the owner of a street rod vehicle that was manufactured [after 1967] to resemble a vehicle [manufactured before 1968] that is at least thirty-five years old shall provide:

(1) A title of ownership from the previous owner of the vehicle's body or frame;

(2) A bill of sale or invoices for all major parts used in the modification of the vehicle; and

(3) A weight certificate issued by a state-certified scale for the actual weight of the vehicle.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary:

(1) Street rod vehicles and street rod replica vehicles shall be equipped with the following equipment:

(A) Hydraulic service brakes on all wheels;

(B) Sealed beam or halogen headlights;

(C) Turn signals and a turn signaling switch;

(D) Safety glass or lexan windshield;

(E) Electric or vacuum windshield wiper located in front of the driver;

(F) Standard or DOT/SAE-approved tail lights;

(G) A parking brake that operates on at least two wheels on the same axle; and

(H) Seat belt assembly as provided in section 291-11.6;

(2) Street rod vehicles and street rod replica vehicles shall be equipped in such a manner that no part of a vehicle, other than the vehicle's tires, will make contact with the surface of a flat highway when the vehicle is operated on the same;

(3) Bumpers, hoods, door handles, and fenders shall be optional equipment on [street]:

(A) Street rod vehicles and street rod replica vehicles; and

[(4) Bumpers, hoods, door handles, and fenders shall be optional equipment on vehicles]

(B) Vehicles manufactured [before 1968,] at least thirty-five years before the date the vehicle is being or was registered as a street rod vehicle and on vehicles manufactured [after 1967 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1968.] to resemble a vehicle manufactured at least thirty-five years before the date the vehicle is being or was registered as a street rod vehicle; and

(4) Vehicles shall meet the safety standards that were in effect at the time of manufacture.

In the event of a conflict between this subsection and equipment requirements specified in chapters 286, 291, and 291C, this subsection shall control.

(e) If a street rod replica vehicle was assembled from a manufactured kit as [a]:

(1) A complete kit to construct a new vehicle consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis[, the year of the vehicle shall be the year the vehicle resembles as reflected on the manufacturer's certificate of origin. If a street rod replica vehicle was assembled from a manufactured kit as components]; or

(2) Components manufactured [before 1968] at least thirty‑five years before the date the components are being sold or components manufactured [after 1967] to resemble a vehicle manufactured [before 1968,] at least thirty-five years before the date the components are being sold,

the year of the vehicle shall be the year the vehicle resembles as reflected on the manufacturer's certificate of origin. The certificate of title for a street rod replica vehicle shall be for the make and year the vehicle resembles, and the body type of the vehicle shall be street rod vehicle replica (STRD-RPLC).

(f) The state vehicle identification number of a street rod replica vehicle that was assembled from a manufactured kit as a complete kit to construct a new vehicle consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis shall be taken from the manufacturer's certificate of origin. The state vehicle identification number shall be assigned by the director of finance of the county in which the vehicle resides; provided that [not] no more than one hundred vehicle identification numbers shall be issued annually.

The state vehicle identification number of a street rod replica vehicle that was assembled from a manufactured kit as components manufactured [before 1968] at least thirty-five years before the date the components are being sold, or components manufactured [after 1967] to resemble a vehicle manufactured [before 1968,] at least thirty-five years before the date the components are being sold, shall be taken from the manufacturer's certificate of origin or provided by the director of finance of the county in which the vehicle resides.

To obtain a state vehicle identification number under this subsection, the owner of a street rod replica vehicle shall provide:

(1) Ownership documents from the manufacturer of the kit or components;

(2) All shipping and freight documents for the kit or components; and

(3) A weight certificate issued by a state-certified scale for the actual weight of the vehicle.

(g) A state vehicle identification number shall be issued to a street rod replica vehicle when the vehicle identification number is absent from the body or frame, or both, of the vehicle; or when the vehicle identification number is absent from the manufacturer's certificate of origin. The state vehicle identification number shall be assigned by the director of finance of the county in which the vehicle resides; provided that [not] no more than one hundred vehicle identification numbers shall be issued annually."

SECTION 3. (a) There is established a motor vehicle safety inspection and motor vehicle registration task force to be placed in the department of transportation for administrative purposes.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1) The director of transportation, or their designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) The deputy director of transportation – highways, or their designee;

(3) Each county director of transportation, or their designee;

(4) Each county chief of police, or their designee; and

(5) Additional members with relevant expertise invited by the chairperson.

(c) The task force shall consider the following:

(1) The types of motor vehicles required to receive a safety inspection and frequency of the safety inspection;

(2) Methods to streamline the process to receive a motor vehicle safety inspection and motor vehicle registration;

(3) Creation of a simplified process for motor vehicle owners; and

(4) Other issues deemed appropriate by the task force.

(d) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

(e) The task force shall dissolve on June 30, 2024.

(f) The members of the task force shall not be compensated for their service, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred while participating in meetings and events approved by the chairperson. No member of the task force shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of the member's participation in the task force.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.

Report Title:

Special Interest Vehicles; Street Rod Vehicles; Street Rod Replica Vehicles; Safety Inspection; Motor Vehicle Registration; Task Force; Report

Description:

Amends the definitions of "special interest vehicle", "street rod replica vehicle", and "street rod vehicle", for purposes of the Hawaii Highway Safety Act, to be based on the age of the vehicle or the parts used, rather than a certain year. Requires vehicles to meet the safety standards that were in effect at the time of manufacture. Establishes a motor vehicle safety inspection and motor vehicle registration task force. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 6/30/3000. (SD1)

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