HI SB2558

Establishes an annual vehicle registration surcharge of $20 per inch for vehicles with hood heights exceeding 40 inches, with exemptions for buses, ambulances, and Federal Highway Administration class 5 or greater vehicles

Revenue from the tall vehicle surcharge will be deposited into the safe routes to school program special fund, aimed at improving pedestrian safety near schools

Cites Insurance Institute for Highway Safety research finding that vehicles with hood heights over 40 inches are approximately 45% more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities compared to vehicles with hood heights of 30 inches or less

Maintains the existing $50 annual surcharge for alternative fuel vehicles, which continues to be deposited into the state highway fund

Takes effect July 1, 2026