SB 2851HawaiiProcess complete

Deaf vehicle owners could add a private registration alert for police

If approved, qualifying deaf vehicle owners could request a county registration alert so police checking the vehicle’s information know the owner is deaf.

What it does

If approved, deaf vehicle owners could ask their county to add a deafness symbol or code to the registration, alerting police while limiting other access to the information.

Argument forA registration alert could help officers recognize that a driver may not hear spoken commands, which might reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops.

Argument againstSharing a deafness designation during vehicle checks could expose sensitive disability information, even though other access would be restricted.

More detail

If approved, a county finance director would add a deafness symbol or code to a vehicle registration when a deaf owner applies. The provision covers motor vehicle owners who meet the bill’s definition of deafness and vehicles operated in the county. Deafness must be certified by a qualified ear, nose, and throat doctor or a licensed audiologist. An applicant may instead show a copy of the person’s most recent filed income tax forms referenced in the existing definition of deafness. The designation would be visible when a law enforcement officer accesses the vehicle’s information, but the county must otherwise restrict access as required by law. The provision would take effect upon approval and would apply when a qualifying owner applies for the designation.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 14
To GovernorMay 7
Became LawJul 15

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 15Act 261, 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1364).Latest
2. Jul 15Act 261, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1364).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Enrolled to Governor.To Governor
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 5Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).Minor
7. May 1Deferred one day 05-06-26.Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
8. May 1Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).Major
9. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 13-26).
10. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 13-26) as amended in (CD 1).
12. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
13. Apr 24The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, McKelvey, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
14. Apr 24The 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.Minor
15. Apr 23Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 811).Minor
16. Apr 22House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Poepoe Co-Chairs; Muraoka.
17. Apr 22Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 9:30AM; CR 329.
18. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Inouye Chair; McKelvey, Rhoads Co-Chairs; DeCorte.
19. Apr 21Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).Minor
20. Apr 16Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 707).Minor
21. Apr 16Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
22. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).Minor
23. Apr 14Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
24. Apr 10Deferred one day 04-14-26.Minor
25. Apr 8Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1825-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
26. Apr 8Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 04-10-26.
27. Mar 31The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
28. Mar 25Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-31-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Mar 24Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1334-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA. Result: pass.Lower
30. Mar 24Passed 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) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
31. Mar 19The 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.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
32. Mar 16Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 03-19-26 8:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
33. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
34. Mar 12Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 17Minor
35. Mar 10Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
36. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 309) in amended form (SD 1).Minor
37. Mar 6Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2992) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
38. Mar 6One Day Notice 03-10-26.
39. Mar 3The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
40. Feb 24The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
41. Feb 13Reported from TRS/HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2261) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
42. Feb 13Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.Minor
43. Feb 11The 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.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
44. Feb 11The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
45. Feb 6The committee(s) on TRS/HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 1:15PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
46. Jan 30Referred to TRS/HHS, JDC.Minor
47. Jan 26Passed First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 23Introduced.Introduced

Disability RightsPublic SafetyNational Security

Issue with this bill?

SB 2851HawaiiProcess complete

Deaf vehicle owners could add a private registration alert for police

If approved, qualifying deaf vehicle owners could request a county registration alert so police checking the vehicle’s information know the owner is deaf.

What it does

If approved, deaf vehicle owners could ask their county to add a deafness symbol or code to the registration, alerting police while limiting other access to the information.

Argument forA registration alert could help officers recognize that a driver may not hear spoken commands, which might reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops.

Argument againstSharing a deafness designation during vehicle checks could expose sensitive disability information, even though other access would be restricted.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 14
To GovernorMay 7
Became LawJul 15

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 15Act 261, 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1364).Latest
2. Jul 15Act 261, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1364).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Enrolled to Governor.To Governor
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 5Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).Minor
7. May 1Deferred one day 05-06-26.Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
8. May 1Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).Major
9. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 13-26).
10. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 13-26) as amended in (CD 1).
12. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
13. Apr 24The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, McKelvey, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
14. Apr 24The 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.Minor
15. Apr 23Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 811).Minor
16. Apr 22House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Poepoe Co-Chairs; Muraoka.
17. Apr 22Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 9:30AM; CR 329.
18. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Inouye Chair; McKelvey, Rhoads Co-Chairs; DeCorte.
19. Apr 21Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).Minor
20. Apr 16Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 707).Minor
21. Apr 16Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
22. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).Minor
23. Apr 14Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
24. Apr 10Deferred one day 04-14-26.Minor
25. Apr 8Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1825-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
26. Apr 8Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 04-10-26.
27. Mar 31The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
28. Mar 25Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-31-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Mar 24Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1334-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA. Result: pass.Lower
30. Mar 24Passed 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) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
31. Mar 19The 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.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
32. Mar 16Bill scheduled to be heard by TRN on Thursday, 03-19-26 8:30AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
33. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
34. Mar 12Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 17Minor
35. Mar 10Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
36. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 309) in amended form (SD 1).Minor
37. Mar 6Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2992) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
38. Mar 6One Day Notice 03-10-26.
39. Mar 3The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
40. Feb 24The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
41. Feb 13Reported from TRS/HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2261) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
42. Feb 13Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.Minor
43. Feb 11The 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.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
44. Feb 11The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
45. Feb 6The committee(s) on TRS/HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 1:15PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
46. Jan 30Referred to TRS/HHS, JDC.Minor
47. Jan 26Passed First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 23Introduced.Introduced

Disability RightsPublic SafetyNational Security

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History