STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3704

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2022

H.D. 1

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2022, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to revise laws relating to state and county vehicle registration and weight taxes.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Specifies that, for counties with a population of five hundred thousand or more:

(A) The county's annual vehicle registration fee shall not exceed the state annual motor vehicle registration fee;

(B) The county shall spend a certain portion of the collected revenues from county motor vehicle registration fees and weight tax on roadway repair and maintenance; and

(C) The county annual vehicle weight tax shall not exceed the state annual vehicle weight tax; and

(2) Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services of the City and County of Honolulu and one individual.

Your Committee finds that disparities currently exist between state and county vehicle registration fees and weight taxes, resulting in inconsistent charges to vehicle owners across jurisdictions and confusion among some members of the public. Your Committee believes that this measure promotes greater uniformity and equity by aligning state and county fee structures, establishing caps on county fees and taxes, and requiring counties with larger populations to dedicate a specified portion of revenues to roadway repair and maintenance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2022, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair