HB 2027 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Summary
Prohibits vehicles from driving on the shoulder of a roadway, except in certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Transportation, law enforcement officers, and other approved persons to impound vehicles with expired registrations of three years or more, under certain conditions. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Increases the fine amount for owners of out-of-state motor vehicles who fail to register the vehicle in the State. Establishes minimum and maximum statutory penalties for violations relating to the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes. (HD1)
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB2027 HB2027_HD1 · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill version (HD1) significantly softens the penalties for expired vehicle registrations and removes the authority to seize and dispose of old cars. It changes the fine for a first infraction to a fixed $250 and extends the window for repeat offenses from one year to five years. Additionally, it eliminates the provision allowing the state to impound vehicles with expired registrations of five years or more, replacing it with a requirement that owners simply register the vehicle to recover it.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding vehicle seizure was narrowed; the authority to permanently dispose of vehicles with expired registrations of five years or more was removed.
ENFORCEMENT

Removed the authority for the Department of Transportation to seize and dispose of vehicles with expired registrations of five years or more.

TIMELINE

Extended the timeframe for considering a violation a 'second or subsequent' offense from one year to five years.

REQUIREMENT

Set a specific fine of $250 for a first infraction, replacing a blank amount.

Set a specific fine of $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation within the extended five-year period.

Increased the minimum fine for owners of out-of-state vehicles who fail to register from $5 to $500.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted statutory language to clarify that penalties for certain violations are now fixed amounts rather than ranges.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 548-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick.
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 3
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Pending introduction.
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors