THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1011
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles decrease vehicle emissions, helping the State progress toward its clean energy goals.  However, the legislature notes concerns that electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles may not be contributing their fair share to the state highway fund since they do not consume, or consume limited quantities, of gasoline.  The state highway fund depends on three primary fee sources: the fuel tax, weight tax, and vehicle registration fees.  The fuel tax paid by a driver is closely related to the amount of driving done by the driver of non-electric, non-hybrid motor vehicles, and non-plug-in hybrid motor vehicles.  Thus, these drivers pay a fee that is related to the amount of road degradation they contribute to when they drive.  Because drivers of electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles pay little to no gas tax, these drivers do not pay for the road degradation they contribute to.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to increase the registration fees for electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles such that, in addition to the annual motor vehicle registration fee, drivers of electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles are assessed an additional annual registration fee that is approximately equivalent to the gas tax they would have paid if they drove a regular motor vehicle.  The additional registration fee is based on the average driving miles of all vehicles, the average fuel efficiency of regular motor vehicles, and the amount of the fuel tax.

     SECTION 2.  Section 249-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By adding three new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read:

     ""Electric motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle powered solely by an electric motor that draws electric current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaic arrays, or other sources of electric current.

     "Hybrid motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine and other propulsion that may be dependent or independent in providing propulsion to the vehicle in any forward or reverse gear.

     "Plug-in hybrid motor vehicle" means a hybrid motor vehicle with rechargeable batteries that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source."

     2.  By amending the definition of "motor vehicle" to read:

     ""Motor vehicle" means every vehicle which is self-propelled [and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power but], including electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles, which is not operated upon rails, but excludes mopeds."

     SECTION 3.  Section 249-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§249-31  State registration fee.  (a)  All vehicles and motor vehicles in the State as defined in section 249-1, including antique motor vehicles, except as otherwise provided in sections 249-4, 249-6, and 249-31.5, shall be subject to a $45 annual vehicle registration fee.  Electric motor vehicles in the State shall be subject to an additional $         annual vehicle registration fee.  Hybrid motor vehicles in the State shall be subject to an additional $         annual vehicle registration fee.  Plug-in hybrid motor vehicles in the State shall be subject to an additional $         annual vehicle registration fee.  The [fee] fees shall be paid each year together with all other taxes and fees levied by this chapter on a staggered basis as established by each county as authorized by section 286-51, and the state registration for that county shall likewise be staggered so that the state registration [fee is] fees are due and payable at the same time and shall be collected together with the county fee.  The state registration [fee] fees shall be deemed delinquent if not paid with the county registration fee.  The respective counties shall collect [this fee] these fees together with the vehicle registration tax collected for the county and shall transfer the moneys collected under this section to the State.

     (b)  From each annual motor vehicle registration fee, the director shall deposit $40 into the state highway fund and $5 into the emergency medical services special fund.  From the additional annual motor vehicle registration fees for electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles, the director shall deposit the entire amount of the fee into the state highway fund."

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the state highway fund the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the operations and maintenance of the state highways program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

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

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Electric Motor Vehicles; Hybrid Motor Vehicles; Annual Registration Fees; State Highway Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes an additional motor vehicle registration fee for electric motor vehicles, hybrid motor vehicles, and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles, and deposits the money into the State Highway Fund.  Appropriates funds for the operation and maintenance of the State Highway Program.  (SB1011 HD1)

 

 

 

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