THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2009
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that when used motor vehicles are transferred from one individual owner to another, the transferor often remains exposed to liability during the time period between the vehicle being physically transferred and the buyer officially updating the vehicle's registration. The legislature believes that transferors should not be held responsible if the new owner is involved in an accident, commits a traffic infraction, or otherwise uses the vehicle in an unlawful manner before completing the required registration.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to facilitate the transfer of ownership of used motor vehicles between individuals and reduce the risk of liability for transferors by requiring new number plates and tags or emblems for those motor vehicles.

SECTION 2. Chapter 249, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§249- Used motor vehicles; individuals; number plates; new plate numbers, tags and emblems; transferred motor vehicles; registration. (a) This section shall only apply to used motor vehicles transferred between individuals and not to new motor vehicles or to used vehicles sold by any dealer.

(b) Upon the completion of the bill of sale in a form approved by the director of finance and that shows the date of sale, and the transfer of title to or interest in a motor vehicle pursuant to section 286-52, an individual transferor shall remove the number plates and registration tag or emblem from the motor vehicle and submit the plates and the tag or emblem to the director of finance for disposal.

(c) Within seven days of the removal of the number plates, an individual transferee shall register the motor vehicle pursuant to 249-7 and obtain new number plates with new numbers and a registration tag or emblem for the motor vehicle by submitting proof of the transfer by showing the director of finance the certificate of title, the dated bill of sale, and any other documentation required by the director of finance.

(d) The director of finance may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 as necessary to implement this section.

(e) Any person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $ ."

SECTION 3. Section 249-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) After the initial payment of the tax and the original registration of a vehicle as herein specified, a motor vehicle shall not be required to be reweighed in any succeeding year unless it has been so altered or changed as to increase or diminish its weight. No new number plates shall, however, be issued to a new owner except as provided in sections 249-7.5 [and], 249-8[.], and 249- ."

SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

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.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Motor Vehicles; Private Parties; Registration; Transfer; Plates; Tags; Emblems

Description:

Requires new number plates and tags or emblems for used motor vehicles transferred between private individuals.

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