SB 312 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AUDIBLE VEHICLE REVERSE WARNING SYSTEMS.

Summary

Prohibits a state- or county-owned vehicle purchased on or after 1/1/2028, from using an audible reverse warning system that emits a warning sound other than one using broadband technology. Authorizes the Director of Transportation to grant exemptions under certain circumstances. Requires the Director of Transportation to maintain an updated record of all exemptions granted and a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB312 → SB312_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from SB 312 to SB 312 HD1 and significantly expanded to include exemptions for agencies unable to implement broadband alarms due to unavailability. It also added a requirement for the Director of Transportation to maintain a public record of these exemptions and submit reports to the legislature. The effective date was changed from immediate approval to July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a formal exemption process and reporting requirements for the Director of Transportation, whereas the original version had no such provisions.

EXEMPTIONS

Added authority for the Director of Transportation to grant exemptions for state or county agencies that have made a good faith effort but cannot implement broadband systems due to unavailability.

ENFORCEMENT

Required the Director of Transportation to maintain a publicly accessible, updated record of all granted exemptions and submit reports to the legislature.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from immediate approval to July 1, 3000.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the bill structure, moving the definition of 'vehicle' to a subsection and adding new subsections for exemptions and reporting.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1304) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Grandinetti, Evslin, Kitagawa, La Chica, Miyake, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to TRN, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 131).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 10:01AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 253) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in TCA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors