SB 485 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Summary

Decreases the exempted light transmittance for motor vehicle sun screening devices on front side wing vents and windows from thirty-five per cent to twenty per cent plus or minus six per cent. Exempts the light transmittance for motor vehicle sun screening devices for side windows that are to the rear of the driver and rear windows in sedans. Repeals the requirement that a front number plate be affixed to the front of a motor vehicle. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB485 → SB485_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the effective date of the law to July 1, 2050, and modifies requirements for vehicle sun screening devices. It lowers the minimum light transmittance allowed for front side vents from 35% to 20% and exempts sedans from the strict light transmittance rules that previously applied to all side and rear windows.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly exempts sedans from specific sun screening device restrictions that previously applied more broadly to vans, trucks, and buses.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

REQUIREMENT

The minimum light transmittance for sun screening devices on front side wing vents was reduced from 35% to 20%.

ELIGIBILITY

Sedans are now explicitly exempted from the strict light transmittance requirements for side and rear windows necessary for driving visibility.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting updates were made to the bill header and metadata fields.

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

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 254) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; 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 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors