Bill > SB607

This bill modifies vehicle tax and registration fee exemptions for disabled veterans in Hawaii by adding disabled veterans to the existing vehicle weight tax exemption while simultaneously repealing their previous exemption from annual vehicle registration fees. Specifically, the bill defines a "disabled veteran" as a Hawaii resident who has been honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. armed forces and has been determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a 100% service-connected disability rating. Under the new law, disabled veterans will continue to be exempt from the state's vehicle weight tax, but they will now be required to pay the standard $46 annual vehicle registration fee, which was previously waived. The legislature's stated rationale is to create greater consistency between tax and fee exemptions for active duty military members and disabled veterans. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving affected veterans and state agencies time to prepare for the new requirements.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=607&year=2025