RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Crime

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: KITAGAWA
Last action: 2026-04-17
Official status: Re-Referred to TRS, JDC.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify the exact nature of additional penalties beyond driver retraining courses and fines.

Rules for Excessive Speeding

This bill increases penalties for a third offense of excessive speeding to a class C felony within five years, including vehicle forfeiture.

What This Bill Does

Increases the penalty for a third or subsequent offense of excessive speeding within five years to a class C felony.
Requires individuals convicted of excessive speeding to attend driver retraining courses and pay fines.
Allows courts to order the forfeiture of vehicles used in committing an excessive speeding offense on a third or subsequent conviction.

Who It Names or Affects

Drivers who commit excessive speeding violations
Courts that handle cases involving excessive speeding

Terms To Know

Class C felony: A serious criminal offense with significant penalties, including imprisonment.
Forfeiture: The legal process of taking away property from someone who has broken the law.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not affect rights and duties that matured before its effective date.
It is unclear how many drivers will be affected by these changes.
The bill's effectiveness depends on future legislative approval and implementation.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment increases the penalty for a third or subsequent offense of excessive speeding to a class C felony and allows courts to order vehicle forfeiture.

Increases penalties for a third or subsequent offense of excessive speeding to a class C felony, including license revocation and mandatory imprisonment.
Adds provisions allowing courts to order that the vehicle used in committing the offense be subject to forfeiture.

The effective date is set very far into the future (July 1, 3000), which may indicate this is a placeholder or test amendment.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: This amendment increases the penalty for a third or subsequent offense within five years of excessive speeding to a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days, and allows the court to order vehicle forfeiture.

Increases penalties for a third or subsequent offense of excessive speeding to include a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days.
Adds provisions allowing the court to order that the vehicle used in committing the offense be subject to forfeiture.

The effective date mentioned (July 1, 3000) seems incorrect and likely contains an error.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: This amendment increases penalties for excessive speeding, including fines and license suspensions or revocations, and allows the court to order vehicle forfeiture for third or subsequent offenses within five years.

Increases penalties for a second offense of excessive speeding, including higher fines and longer license suspension periods.
Increases penalties for a third or subsequent offense of excessive speeding to be classified as a misdemeanor with harsher punishments such as jail time and vehicle forfeiture.
Requires individuals convicted of excessive speeding to attend driver retraining courses.

The effective date mentioned (July 1, 3000) seems incorrect or is likely a placeholder and needs clarification.

SD2

Hawaii published version SD2

Plain English: The amendment increases penalties for excessive speeding violations, particularly for second and third offenses within five years.

Increases fines and suspension periods for a second offense of excessive speeding within five years.
Changes the classification from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor for a third or subsequent offense within five years.
Adds vehicle forfeiture as a penalty option for third or subsequent offenses.

The exact details on how and when vehicles can be forfeited are not fully explained in the provided text.

Bill History

2026-04-17 S
Re-Referred to TRS, JDC.
2026-04-02 S
Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2026-04-01 H
House Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-15 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).
2025-04-14 H
House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Kitagawa, Pierick.
2025-04-11 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
2025-04-10 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2025-04-08 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 593) in amended form (SD 2).
2025-04-08 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella, Richards. Noes, 4 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, McKelvey, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-04-04 S
48 Hrs. Notice 04-08-25.
2025-04-04 S
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1716) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2025-03-25 S
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, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Awa.
2025-03-21 S
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-25-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2025-03-21 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
2025-03-21 S
Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1332) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
2025-03-18 S
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., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-14 S
The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to TCA, JDC.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 182).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Iwamoto, Perruso voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Shimizu, Souza voting no (2) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-04-25.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1067) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-20 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
2025-02-18 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-20-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-11 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
2025-02-11 H
Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 384) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2025-02-06 H
The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Cochran, Kitagawa, La Chica, Miyake, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Grandinetti, Evslin; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Pierick.
2025-02-04 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 02-06-25 10:00AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 1
2025-01-16 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-13 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
Excessive Speeding; Vehicle; Property Forfeiture; Penalties
Increases penalties for a third or subsequent offense within five years of excessive speeding to a misdemeanor. Increases penalties for a second offense within five years of excessive speeding. Authorizes the court, as part of the person's sentencing for the third or subsequent offense, to order that the vehicle used by the person in the commission of the offense be subject to forfeiture. Requires individuals convicted of excessive speeding to be subject to identification processing procedures. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB54

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

54

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to motor vehicles
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 291C-105, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

����
"
�291C-105
�

Excessive speeding.
�
(a)
�
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a
speed exceeding:

����
(1)
�
The applicable state or county speed
limit by thirty miles per hour or more; or

����
(2)
�
Eighty miles per hour or more
irrespective of the applicable state or county speed limit.

����
(b)
�
For the purposes of this section, "the
applicable state or county speed limit" means:

����
(1)
�
The maximum speed limit established by
county ordinance;

����
(2)
�
The maximum speed limit established by
official signs placed by the director of transportation on highways under the
director's jurisdiction; or

����
(3)
�
The maximum speed limit established
pursuant to section 291C-104 by the director of transportation or the counties
for school zones and construction areas in their respective jurisdictions.

����
(c)
�
Any person who violates [
this section
]

subsection (a)
shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be
sentenced as follows without the possibility of probation or suspension of
sentence:

����
(1)
�
For a first offense not preceded by a
prior conviction for an offense under [
this section
]
subsection (a)

in the preceding five years:

���������
(A)
�
A fine of not less than $500 and not
more than $1,000;

���������
(B)
�
Thirty-day prompt suspension of license
and privilege to operate a vehicle during the suspension period, or the court
may impose, in lieu of the thirty-day prompt suspension of license, a minimum
fifteen-day prompt suspension of license with absolute prohibition from
operating a vehicle and, for the remainder of the thirty-day period, a restriction
on the license that allows the person to drive for limited work-related
purposes;

���������
(C)
�
Attendance in a course of instruction
in driver retraining;

���������
(D)
�
A surcharge of $25 to be deposited into
the neurotrauma special fund;

���������
(E)
�
May be charged a surcharge of [
up to
]
not
more than
$100 to be deposited into the trauma system special fund
,

if the court so orders;

���������
(F)
�
An assessment for driver education
pursuant to section 286G-3; and

���������
(G)
�
Either one of the following:

�������������
(i)
�
Thirty-six hours of community service
work; or

������������
(ii)
�
Not less than forty-eight hours and not
more than five days of imprisonment;

����
(2)
�
For an offense that occurs within five
years of a prior conviction for an offense under [
this section,
]
subsection
(a),
by:

���������
(A)
�
A fine of not less than $750 and not
more than $1,000;

���������
(B)
�
Prompt suspension of license and
privilege to operate a vehicle for a period of thirty days with an absolute
prohibition from operating a vehicle during the suspension period;

���������
(C)
�
Attendance in a course of instruction
in driver retraining;

���������
(D)
�
A surcharge of $25 to be deposited into
the neurotrauma special fund;

���������
(E)
�
May be charged a surcharge of [
up to
]
not
more than
$100 to be deposited into the trauma system special fund
,

if the court so orders;

���������
(F)
�
An assessment for driver education
pursuant to section 286G-3; and

���������
(G)
�
Either one of the following:

�������������
(i)
�
Not less than one hundred twenty hours
of community service work; or

������������
(ii)
�
Not less than five days but not more
than fourteen days of imprisonment of which at least forty-eight hours shall be
served consecutively[
; and

����
(3)
�
For an offense that occurs within
five years of two prior convictions for offenses under this section, by:

���������
(A)
�
A fine of $1,000;

���������
(B)
�
Revocation of license and privilege
to operate a vehicle for a period of not less than ninety days but not more
than one year;

���������
(C)
�
Attendance in a course of
instruction in driver retraining;

���������
(D)
�
No fewer than ten days but no more
than thirty days of imprisonment of which at least forty-eight hours shall be
served consecutively;

���������
(E)
�
A surcharge of $25 to be deposited
into the neurotrauma special fund;

���������
(F)
�
May be charged a surcharge of up to $100 to
be deposited into the trauma system special fund if the court so orders; and

���������
(G)
�
An assessment for driver education
pursuant to section 286G-3
].

����
(d)
�
Notwithstanding subsection (c), any person
who violates subsection (a) within five years of two prior convictions for the
same offense shall be guilty of a class C felony and shall be sentenced as
follows without the possibility of probation or suspension of sentence:

����
(1)
�
Revocation of license and privilege
to operate a vehicle for a period of not less than ninety days but not more
than one year;

����
(2
)
�
Attendance in a course of
instruction in driver retraining;

����
(3)
�
A surcharge of $25 to be deposited
into the neurotrauma special fund;

����
(4)
�
May be charged a surcharge of not more than
$100 to be deposited into the trauma system special fund, if the court so
orders;

����
(5)
�
An assessment for driver education
pursuant to section 286G-3; and

����
(6)
�
May be ordered that the vehicle used
in the commission of the offense be subject to forfeiture under chapter 712A.
"

����
SECTION
2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and
duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were
begun before its effective date.

����
SECTION
3.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION
4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its
approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Excessive
Speeding; Vehicle; Property Forfeiture; Penalties

Description:

Increases
the penalty for a third or subsequent offense of excessive speeding to a class
C felony. Authorizes the court, as part of the person's sentencing for the
third or subsequent offense, to order that the vehicle used by the person in
the commission of the offense be subject to forfeiture.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.