SB2697 • 2026

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: INOUYE, LAMOSAO
Last action: 2026-05-08
Official status: Enrolled to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details about fines, only ranges within which they must fall.

Rules for Roadways and Vehicle Registration

This bill sets new rules about driving on road shoulders, handling expired vehicle registrations, reporting requirements, fines for out-of-state vehicles without registration, and penalties for using high-occupancy lanes incorrectly.

What This Bill Does

It stops cars from driving on the shoulder of roads unless it's allowed by special circumstances or hours set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
If a car has an expired registration that is three years old or more, it can be taken away and stored. If it’s five years old or more, it might be sold if not claimed.
It requires the DOT to send yearly reports about enforcing these rules to lawmakers.
It makes fines higher for people who bring out-of-state cars into Hawaii without registering them properly.
It sets new fine amounts for breaking rules about using high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Who It Names or Affects

Drivers and car owners in Hawaii.
Law enforcement agencies like the DOT and county police departments.

Terms To Know

Impoundment: When a vehicle is taken away by authorities because it violates certain rules, such as having an expired registration.
High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (HOV): Special lanes on roads that are meant for vehicles with multiple passengers to reduce traffic and pollution.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone violates the rules before it becomes law.
It doesn't say how much the fines will be, only that they must fall within certain ranges.
Details about enforcement procedures are left to the DOT and county police departments.

Amendments

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

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: SB2697 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2697 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2697 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB2697 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2697 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2697 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: SB2697 HD2 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2697 HD2 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2697 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SB2697 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2697 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2697 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION .

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Enrolled to Governor.
2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Iwamoto, Pierick voting no (4) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 20; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 5 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Keohokalole, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none).
2026-04-29 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-04-29 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 44-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-04-29 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
2026-04-29 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 44-26).
2026-04-28 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Poepoe; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Muraoka.
2026-04-28 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Rhoads, Elefante; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-27 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 10:20AM in conference room 329.
2026-04-27 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 839).
2026-04-24 H
House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Poepoe Co-Chairs; Muraoka.
2026-04-21 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Inouye Chair; Rhoads Co-Chair; Elefante.
2026-04-16 H
Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
2026-04-16 S
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
2026-04-16 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 691).
2026-04-14 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Iwamoto, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-04-10 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2132-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-08 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Cochran.
2026-04-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 04-08-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-24 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Alcos voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (3) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).
2026-03-24 H
Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1331-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2026-03-19 H
The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, La Chica, Cochran, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kitagawa.
2026-03-16 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 03-19-26 8:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-12 H
Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 17
2026-03-12 H
Pass First Reading
2026-03-10 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 284) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-03-10 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 20; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 5 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, McKelvey, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-06 S
One Day Notice 03-10-26.
2026-03-06 S
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2994) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-03-03 S
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-24 S
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-02-19 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
2026-02-19 S
Reported from TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2447) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
2026-02-17 S
The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TRS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C., DeCorte.
2026-02-13 S
The committee(s) on TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-17-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-02-12 S
Re-Referred to TRS, JDC.
2026-01-28 S
Referred to TRS/PSM, JDC.
2026-01-26 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-23 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
DOT; Counties; Motor Vehicles; Shoulder Lanes; Registration; Expired Registration; Out-of-state Motor Vehicles; High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes; Enforcement; Penalties
Prohibits vehicles from driving on the shoulder of a roadway, except in certain circumstances. Specifies that a vehicle with an expired registration of one or more years may be subject to impoundment. 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. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB2697

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2697

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to transportation
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read
as follows:

����
"
�
291C-
�
Shoulder lanes; use prohibited.
�
(a)
�

Except as otherwise provided in section 291C-26 or as permitted during
hours designated by the department, no vehicle shall be driven on the shoulder
of a roadway.

����
(b)
�
Every person who violates this section shall
be subject to the following penalties:

����
(1)
�
For a first
infraction, or any infraction not preceded within one year by a prior violation
of this section, a fine of
$ ;

����
(2)
�
For a second or
subsequent violation committed within one year of the first violation, a fine
of $ .

����
�291C-
�
Expired registration; enforcement;
penalties.
�
(a)
�

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of
transportation and the county police departments may:

����
(1)
�
For a vehicle
with an expired registration of three years or more that is parked on a public
roadway or in a commercial parking lot that is open to the public, impound the
vehicle, during which time the vehicle shall be subject to redemption by its
owner by payment of an updated registration, together with any penalties
incurred and the cost of storage and other charges incident to the impoundment
of the vehicle; and

����
(2)
�
For a vehicle with an
expired registration of five years or more that is parked on a public roadway
or in a commercial parking lot that is open to the public, seize and dispose of
the vehicle,
during which time the vehicle shall be subject to
redemption by its owner by payment of an updated registration, together with
any penalties incurred and the cost of storage and other charges incident to
the seizure of the vehicle
.
�
If the owner of the vehicle fails to redeem
the vehicle within ten days after seizure, the vehicle shall be disposed of in
the same manner as when a vehicle is put up for public auction and for which no
bid is received; provided that if no valid ownership is proven, a fifteen-day
notice shall be made available to the public prior to the disposal of the
vehicle.

����
(b)
�
A law enforcement officer may use a traffic
stop for the purpose of verifying the registration status of a vehicle in the
enforcement of subsection (a).

����
(c)
�
Enforcement of this section shall not apply
to vehicles on private property that is not open for public use.

����
(d)
�
The department of transportation and the
county police departments may establish rules as necessary for the enforcement
of this section.

����
(e)
�
The department of transportation shall submit
an annual report to the legislature detailing by county the enforcement
activity of this section no later than twenty days prior to each regular
session
.
"

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 286-61,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�286-61
�
Penalty.
�
Any person who violates sections 286-41,
286-42, 286-44.5 to 286-56.5, and 286-58 to 286-60 shall be fined not less than
$5 nor more than $1,000; provided that any corporate owner of a motor vehicle
who fails to register a motor vehicle as required by section 286-41(a)
following a transfer of the vehicle between counties shall be fined $1,000 for
each violation[
.
]
; provided further that any owner of an out-of-state
motor vehicle brought into the State who fails to register the out-of-state
motor vehicle pursuant to section 286-41, 286-50, or 286-54 shall be fined no
less than $ and no
more than $ for
each violation.
�
Any person who
violates section 286-43, 286-44, or 286-57 shall be fined not less than $5 and
not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both."

����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section
291C-227, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�291C-227
�
Penalty.
�
A person who violates any provision of this
part shall [
for a first conviction thereof be fined $75; for conviction of a
second offense committed within one year after the date of the first offense,
the person shall be fined $150; for conviction of a third or subsequent offense
committed within one year after the date of the first offense, the person shall
be fined $200.
]
, for each conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of no
less than $250 and no more than $500.
"

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION 5.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION 6.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOT;
Counties; Motor Vehicles; Shoulder Lanes; Registration; Expired Registration;
Enforcement; Penalties; Out-of-state Motor Vehicles; High Occupancy Vehicle
Lanes; Violations; Fines

Description:

Prohibits
vehicles from driving on the shoulder of a roadway, except in certain
circumstances.
�
Authorizes the Department
of Transportation and county police departments to impound vehicles with
expired registrations of three years or more and seize and dispose of vehicles
with expired registrations of five 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.

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