SB 2009 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

SB 2009 requires new license plates or tags for used vehicles transferred between private individuals, replacing the previous system where plates remained with the vehicle. It mandates county Directors of Finance to notify all relevant state and local agencies whenever a vehicle transfer is reported and to establish a centralized digital notification system for all transfers by July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects private vehicle sellers, buyers, and county finance offices handling vehicle registrations. Key provisions include standardizing transfer notifications to improve record accuracy and ensuring agencies like law enforcement and tax authorities receive timely vehicle ownership updates. This aims to streamline administrative processes without altering vehicle ownership laws.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2009_SD1 SB2009_SD2 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the timeline for establishing vehicle transfer notification systems, moving the deadline from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2028. It also clarifies the penalty for violations, setting the fine at $100, and adjusts the effective date of the act to March 22, 2075.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on vehicle transfer notifications, but the applicability timeline has been extended by one year.
TIMELINE

The deadline for counties to establish an automatic and instantaneous notification system was extended from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2028.

The effective date of the Act was changed from immediate approval to March 22, 2075.

ENFORCEMENT

The fine for violating the notification requirements was explicitly set to not more than $100.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and text adjustments were made to the notification system descriptions and bill metadata.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
9
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1233-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Cochran, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Muraoka; and Excused: none.
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 17
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 148) in amended form (SD 2).
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura.
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-26-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Reported from TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2143) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TRS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to TRS, JDC.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and passed First Reading.
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Pending Introduction.
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors