Hawaii House Bill HB161

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/21
• Refer: 1/27/21
• Report Pass: 2/9/21
• Refer: 2/9/21
• Report Pass: 2/18/21
• Refer: 2/18/21
• Report Pass: 3/5/21
• Engrossed: 3/9/21
• Refer: 3/11/21
• Report Pass: 3/22/21
• Refer: 3/22/21

Caption

Relating To Registration Of Vehicles.

Impact

If enacted, HB 161 would modify Section 286 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, specifically impacting the registration process for vehicles by introducing new requirements that would necessitate the settlement of financial liabilities before registration is granted. The bill emphasizes the state's authority to intervene in local issues regarding vehicle management, directly affecting how counties enforce vehicle registration policies. This could lead to a decrease in the number of abandoned vehicles while enabling counties to offset costs related to their removal.

Summary

House Bill 161 is aimed at addressing the issue of abandoned and derelict vehicles on roads in Hawaii. The legislation empowers the director of finance in each county to require the payment of outstanding charges related to the towing, removal, or disposal of these vehicles as a condition for issuing a motor vehicle registration. This measure intends to facilitate easier recouping of costs incurred by counties in managing abandoned vehicles and promote accountability among vehicle owners.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 161 appears to be largely supportive among county officials who deal directly with the ramifications of abandoned vehicles. Proponents argue that it would provide a necessary leverage to ensure that vehicle owners take responsibility for their abandoned vehicles and thereby reduce the financial burden on the counties. However, there may also be concerns about fairness and the possible financial strain on vehicle owners, especially in cases where they may not have the resources to pay the associated charges.

Contention

Notable points of contention center around the fairness of imposing this financial burden on vehicle owners and the potential implications it has on lower-income individuals who may not have the means to pay the towing or disposal fees. Moreover, there are discussions regarding how this bill could affect the definitions of ownership and liability for vehicles that are transferred without proper registration. Opponents may argue for safeguards to ensure that vehicle owners are not unfairly penalized, particularly in cases of stolen or improperly taken vehicles.