HB 438 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS.

Summary

Establishes the Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program within the Judiciary to provide legal representation to individuals in immigration-related proceedings. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB438_HD1 → HB438_HD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to expand its scope by explicitly naming the 'due process in immigration proceedings program' and clarifying that the judiciary must establish specific eligibility criteria for it. The partnership with the University of Hawaii was broadened to include other training entities, and the effective date was drastically changed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 3000, likely indicating a placeholder or error in the draft.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified by explicitly defining the program name and adding a requirement for the judiciary to establish eligibility criteria for the program.

DEFINITION

The program name was changed from a generic description to 'due process in immigration proceedings program' to provide a specific legal title.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added mandating that the judiciary establish eligibility criteria for the program.

The partnership requirement with the University of Hawaii was broadened to allow partnerships with other entities capable of training law students and practitioners.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 3000, which appears to be a significant error or placeholder.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (6) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 726) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 122) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Todd, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to ECD, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

17 primary · 0 co-sponsors