SB 283 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 283 establishes higher penalties for bribery offenses under specific circumstances, as stated in its official abstract. The bill does not specify the exact penalties, affected parties, or the "certain circumstances" in the provided context. It is currently pending before the Judiciary Committee (JDC) after being referred on January 21, 2025, with a hearing scheduled for February 11, 2025. The abstract lacks details on who would be directly impacted or the precise policy mechanisms.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Mar 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB283 → SB283_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill strengthens bribery penalties by raising the monetary threshold for aggravated bribery from $20,000 to $50,000 and adding a new requirement that multiple bribery acts must also exceed $50,000 in total value to qualify as a class A felony. It also removes the ability for bribery convictions to receive deferred guilty pleas, ensuring stricter consequences for public officials who accept bribes.

Scope change

The bill applies to all bribery offenses but modifies the severity classification based on higher monetary thresholds and repeat offenses involving elected or appointed officials.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the monetary threshold for aggravated bribery from $20,000 to $50,000 for a single act involving elected or appointed officials.

Added a new condition requiring that multiple bribery acts must collectively exceed $50,000 in value to qualify as a class A felony.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the option for deferred acceptance of guilty plea or nolo contendere plea for bribery convictions.

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 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 18

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 20) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Inouye, Kidani, San Buenaventura . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Awa.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors