HB 2254 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS.

Summary

Requires the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent court-ordered fees, fines, sanctions, and court costs. Clarifies the collection and prioritization of court-ordered fees, fines, and restitution. Establishes procedures for proof of compliance hearings and consequences for nonpayment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2254 → HB2254_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the handling of court-ordered payments by clarifying the order of fines and fees, simplifying the process for restitution compliance hearings, and setting a future effective date of July 1, 3000. The changes aim to streamline how courts manage delinquent payments and ensure clear procedures for defendants who fail to pay restitution or fees.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on court-ordered payments, but it modifies the specific rules for restitution and fines to improve clarity and enforcement procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Reversed the order of fines and fees in the text to clarify that fees are addressed before fines.

Adjusted the list of collectible items to prioritize fees and fines over restitution in the collection agency description.

ENFORCEMENT

Simplified the restitution compliance hearing process by removing redundant language about when a defendant must appear.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000, indicating a future implementation.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 581-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 7

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 5

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors