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SB96 • 2026

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

Crime
Active

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

Sponsor
ELEFANTE, CHANG, FUKUNAGA, RHOADS, Gabbard, Kanuha, Wakai
Last action
2026-01-21
Official status
Re-Referred to PSM/TRS, JDC.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

What This Bill Does

  • RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.
  • DLE; Traffic Cameras; Citations; Mail; Motor Vehicles; Traffic Code Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to establish traffic cameras and issue a citation by mail for certain violations of traffic-related laws.
  • Establishes that intentional destruction or damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-21 S

    Re-Referred to PSM/TRS, JDC.

  2. 2025-12-08 D

    Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

  3. 2025-01-16 S

    Referred to PSM/TCA, JDC.

  4. 2025-01-15 S

    Introduced and passed First Reading.

  5. 2025-01-08 S

    Pending Introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.
DLE; Traffic Cameras; Citations; Mail; Motor Vehicles; Traffic Code
Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to establish traffic cameras and issue a citation by mail for certain violations of traffic-related laws. Establishes that intentional destruction or damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SB96

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

96

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to traffic citations
.

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

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

����
"
�291C-
�
Traffic
cameras.

�
(a)
�

The department of law enforcement may establish and implement any
traffic camera to impose monetary liability on the registered owner of a motor
vehicle for failure to comply with traffic-related laws.
�
The department of law enforcement may provide
for the:

����
(1)
�
Procurement,
location, and oversight of any traffic camera; and

����
(2)
�
Installation,
operation, maintenance, and repair of any traffic camera through a third party
contractor.

Where any
traffic camera affects state property, the department
of law enforcement
shall cooperate with and assist the county as
needed to install, maintain, and repair any traffic camera established pursuant
to this section.

����
(b)
�
If the department of law enforcement establishes
any traffic camera under this section, the compensation paid by the department
to a manufacturer or vendor of the equipment used shall be based upon the value
of the equipment and services provided or rendered in support of any traffic
camera, and shall not be based upon a portion of the fine or civil penalty
imposed or the revenue generated by the equipment.

����
(c)
�

The department
of law
enforcement
may issue a citation by first class mail for any violation
of traffic laws that do not mandate the physical arrest of violators within ten
calendar days from the time of the incident for motor vehicles disregarding
traffic laws.

����
(d)
�
At least sixty days prior to traffic cameras
becoming operational, the department of law enforcement, in conjunction with
any county that implements traffic cameras pursuant to this section, shall
conduct a comprehensive informational and educational campaign to inform
motorists and the general public about the traffic cameras.

����
(e)
�

During the first thirty days of operation of any traffic camera in a
particular traffic area, a warning shall be issued for any violation of traffic
laws that do not mandate the physical arrest of violators, and mailed to the
registered owner of the motor vehicle at the address on record at the vehicle
licensing division, in lieu of a summons or citation pursuant to subsection (c).

����
(f)
�

Any person who knowingly destroys or damages a traffic camera shall be guilty
of a class C felony.

����
(g)
�

For the purposes of this section, "traffic camera" means any
camera owned and operated under the authority of the department of law
enforcement.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLE;
Traffic Cameras; Citations; Mail; Motor Vehicles; Traffic Code

Description:

Authorizes
the Department of Law Enforcement to establish traffic cameras and issue a
citation by mail for certain violations of traffic-related laws.
�
Establishes that intentional destruction or
damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony.

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