HB543 • 2026

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Active

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

Sponsor: GARRETT, EVSLIN, KAHALOA, KILA, LAMOSAO, MIYAKE, POEPOE, TAKENOUCHI
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effective date is set for July 1, 3000, which seems unusual and may be a placeholder or error in the text provided.

License Plate Flipping Device Ban

This bill prohibits the use, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices in Hawaii and sets fines ranging from $250 to $2,000 per violation.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices.
Establishes a minimum fine of $250 and a maximum fine of $2,000 per violation.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use, possess, purchase, install, sell, offer for sale, or distribute license plate flipping devices.

Terms To Know

License Plate Flipping Device: A manual, electric, or mechanical device designed to switch between two or more license plates or hide a license plate from view on a motor vehicle.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not affect rights and duties that matured before its effective date.
Proceedings begun before the effective date are also unaffected by this legislation.

Amendments

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

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment adds a new law that bans the use, possession, sale, and distribution of license plate flipping devices in Hawaii, with fines ranging from $250 to $2,000 for each violation.

Adds a new section to Chapter 286 of Hawaii Revised Statutes prohibiting the use of license plate flipping devices on motor vehicles.
Establishes penalties for violations, setting a fine between $250 and $2,000 per offense.

The effective date listed as July 1, 3000 appears to be an error or placeholder and is not realistic. The actual implementation date would likely be corrected in future versions of the bill.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-02-06 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Ward excused (1).
2025-02-06 H
Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 201) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2025-01-28 H
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; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
2025-01-24 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Tuesday, 01-28-25 10:00AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.
License Plate Flipping Device; Prohibition; Fine; Motor Vehicles
Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices. Establishes a minimum fine of $250 and a maximum fine of $2,000 for each separate violation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB543

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

543

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to License plates
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that license
plate flipping devices are manual, electric, or mechanical devices that can be
installed on motor vehicles in order to switch between two or more license
plates or hide a license plate from view.
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The legislature further finds that these devices can be used to prevent
law enforcement from identifying a vehicle.
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These devices create a significant nuisance for law enforcement
officials and pose a threat to public safety.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the use of license plate flipping
devices.

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SECTION
2.
�
Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read
as follows:

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"
�286-
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License plate flipping devices;
prohibited.
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(a)
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No person shall operate a motor vehicle with, possess, purchase,
install, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise distribute a license plate flipping
device.

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(b)
�

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any person who
violates this section shall be fined no more than $2,000 for each separate
violation.

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(c)
�

For the purpose of this section "license plate flipping
device" means a manual, electric, or mechanical device designed or adapted
to be installed on a motor vehicle that:

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(1)
�
Switches between two or more license plates
for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the license plate
displayed on the operator's motor vehicle; or

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(2)
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Hides a license plate from view by flipping
the license plate so that the plate number is not visible.
"

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SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

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SECTION
4.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

License
Plate Flipping Device; Prohibition; Fine; Motor Vehicles

Description:

Prohibits
the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation,
sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices.
�
Establishes a $2,000 fine for each separate
violation.

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