SB 50 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Summary

Establishes as a deceptive practice advertising, displaying, or offering a price for goods or services that does not include all mandatory fees or charges, subject to certain exceptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB50 → SB50_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision shifts the focus from repealing the controversial 'vehicle license recovery fees' to establishing a new deceptive trade practice rule that prohibits rental companies from hiding mandatory fees. It removes the specific requirement to repeal Act 137 and its associated fee definitions, effectively keeping the current fee structure in place while adding consumer protection language. The bill also changes the effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from a comprehensive repeal of existing fee structures and audit requirements to a specific prohibition on deceptive advertising practices regarding hidden fees.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the mandate to repeal the definition of 'vehicle license recovery fees' and the requirement to repeal the annual audit submission for rental companies.

Added a new deceptive trade practice provision prohibiting the advertising or display of prices that exclude mandatory fees.

DEFINITION

Removed the specific statutory text defining 'vehicle license recovery fees' and the amendment to section 437D-8.4 that changed the fee proration rate from 1/292nd to 1/365th.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

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 CPN.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 242) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

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 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, CPN.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor