SB 279 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

SB 279 changes the legal penalties for possessing fentanyl to match those for heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and morphine by aligning their possession thresholds. This means the amount of fentanyl that triggers criminal penalties would now be the same as the amounts for those other drugs. The bill directly affects individuals charged with fentanyl possession in the state, as it would standardize the legal consequences. Currently, fentanyl may have different possession thresholds compared to these other drugs, and this bill seeks to eliminate that disparity. The bill is in committee review with a hearing scheduled for February 5, 2025.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 119).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors