SB 871 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO ARSON.

Summary

Authorizes periods of imprisonment for individuals with previous arson convictions. Authorizes additional penalties for arson crimes that endanger vulnerable areas. Requires restitution for victims of arson who experienced property damage. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB871 → SB871_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was reformatted from a draft version to a Senate committee markup version (SD1) with significant substantive changes to penalties and definitions. The most important changes include reducing mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders from 15 years to 5 years with parole eligibility, changing the felony classification for second-degree arson from class A to class B, and adding a new fourth-degree arson offense for minor property damage. The bill also added a 'red flag warning' provision that automatically elevates fourth-degree arson to a felony during high fire danger conditions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new fourth-degree arson offense for property damage without consent, and the applicability of enhanced penalties was modified to allow parole eligibility for repeat offenders instead of mandatory life sentences.

REQUIREMENT

Reduced mandatory minimum imprisonment for repeat arson offenders from 15 years without parole to 5 years with parole eligibility

Downgraded second-degree arson from class A felony to class B felony

Changed community service requirement from unspecified hours to unspecified hours (remained unchanged in text but formatting changed)

DEFINITION

Added new fourth-degree arson offense for property damage without consent, with automatic felony elevation during red flag warnings

TIMELINE

Set effective date to July 1, 2077 (likely placeholder date)

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. 213) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-21-25 10:20AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 78) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM, JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors