HB531 authorizes the issuance of special motor vehicle license plates recognizing the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The bill directs the director of finance to issue the plates to eligible Hawaii residents who apply and pay the required fees, and it requires county and police officials, in consultation with the cancer center, to develop a plate design that is identifiable, does not obscure required plate information, and avoids prohibited content such as trademarks, obscene material, religious promotion, or discriminatory messaging.
The measure also establishes a fee structure for the special plates. In addition to standard registration-related charges, the director of finance must set a special plate fee at least equal to the county’s cost of production and administration, plus a fundraising fee for the cancer center. The bill allows an additional renewal fundraising fee and authorizes revocation of the plate if the renewal fee is not paid. Revenue from the fundraising fees is to be deposited in a separate county budget account for the benefit of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and the director of finance may revoke the program if fewer than 150 plates are issued within three years. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, indicating a placeholder or delayed effective date rather than an immediate policy change.
Impact
HB531 would amend Chapter 249, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by creating a new statutory authorization for a specialty license plate program tied to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. It would give the state and counties authority to design, issue, fee, and administer the plates, while also creating a dedicated revenue stream from fundraising fees to support the cancer center. The bill affects motor vehicle registration administration, county finance operations, and the rules governing special number plates in Hawaii.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests broad support for the measure, with the Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee passing it 5-0 with amendments. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous committee vote indicates generally favorable sentiment toward creating a specialty plate to recognize and fund the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
Contention
There is little evidence of major opposition in the available record, but the bill contains several administrative and policy details that could be points of discussion, including the amount of the fundraising fee, whether an additional renewal fee should be imposed, and the threshold allowing revocation of the program if too few plates are sold. The design restrictions and the requirement that the plate not violate intellectual property or civil rights rules also reflect standard safeguards that may have been included to avoid legal or content-based objections. The amendments referenced in the vote suggest some refinement occurred, but no specific controversy is documented.
An act to amend Sections 24801, 24826, 24827, 24830, 24862, and 24908 of, to repeal Section 24861 of, and to repeal and add Section 24863 of, the Public Utilities Code, relating to transportation.