Hawaii Considers Taxing Vehicle Engine Size

In a misguided attempt to reduce motor vehicle emissions, legislation (H.B. 2855) has been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives by Representative Joey Manahan (repmanahan@Capitol.hawaii.gov) to establish a progressive fee for state motor vehicles based on engine size.

These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.   These fees would be in addition to fees and taxes normally required for registration or renewal.  If this effort is successful, the expense of driving the vehicle of your choice in Hawaii could be substantial.
We Urge You to Contact House Transportation Committee Members (List Below) Immediately To Request Their Opposition to H.B. 2855

H.B 2855 will limit consumer choice by making popular performance and luxury cars, as well as SUVs, light trucks and minivans, substantially more expensive to own.


H.B. 2855 will potentially lead to more deaths on Hawaii’s highways as higher taxes on larger, safer vehicles forces consumers into smaller cars with higher accident fatality rates.


H.B. 2855 would tax vehicle owners with an engine size greater than 200 cubic centimeters.  The fee would increase depending on the engine displacement.


H.B. 2855 will not conserve energy.  Motor vehicle emissions depends on a host of other factors such as total miles traveled.


H.B. 2855 will do little to improve air quality.  Air quality has more to do with overall basic vehicle maintenance than it does with owning and operating any particular class of vehicle.
DON’T DELAY!  Please contact members of the Hawaii House Transportation Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their opposition to this bill.    

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org.  Thank you for your assistance.


House Transportation Committee

Representative Joseph Souki
Phone: 808/586-9444
Fax: 808/586-9499
Email: repsouki@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Scott Nishimoto
Phone: 808/586-8515
Fax: 808/586-8519
Email: repnishimoto@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Cindy Evans
Phone: 808/586-8510
Fax: 808/586-8514
Email: repevans@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Sharon Har
Phone: 808/586-8500
Fax: 808/586-8504
Email: rephar@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Marilyn Lee
Phone: 808/586-9460
Fax: 808/586-9466
Email: replee@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Sylvia Luke
Phone: 808/586-8530
Fax: 808/586-8534
Email: repluke@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Angus McKelvey
Phone: 808/586-6160
Fax: 808/586-6161
Email: repmckelvey@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Bob Nakasone
Phone: 808/586-6210
Fax: 808/586-6211
Email: repnakasone@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Alex Sonson
Phone: 808/586-6520
Fax: 808/586-6521
Email: repsonson@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Dwight Takamine
Phone: 808/586-6680
Fax: 808/586-6684
Email: reptakamine@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Roy Takumi
Phone: 808/586-6170
Fax: 808/586-6171
Email: reptakumi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Colleen Rose Meyer
Phone: 808/586-8540
Fax: 808/586-8544
Email: repmeyer@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Kymberly Marcos Pine
Phone: 808/586-9730
Fax: 808/586-9738
Email: reppine@Capitol.hawaii.gov