STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3655

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1510

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1510, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Condition the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate;

(2) Amend the penalty for obstruction of a license plate;

(3) Allow state or county parking enforcement officers and persons authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency to issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate; and

(4) Repeal the requirement that a cover or shield be intended to alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of a license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the visibility and readability of license plates is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of automated enforcement programs that address dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and running red lights. This measure establishes license plate visibility requirements to facilitate the accurate identification of vehicles, maintaining the integrity of vehicle identification systems that support various enforcement efforts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1510, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair