SB 2568 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Summary

Elevates the offense of harassment to a misdemeanor when committed against a public servant because of or during their performance of official duties. (CD1)

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jul 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Jul 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2568_HD2 → SB2568_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill strengthens protections for public servants by explicitly defining who qualifies as a protected individual and clarifying that harassment laws apply when acts are motivated by their status or occur during official duties. It addresses previous enforcement difficulties by citing specific existing statutes and updating the bill's effective date to March 22, 2075.

Scope change

The scope of protection was expanded from a general definition to a detailed list including state and federal judges, election volunteers, and federal employees residing in Hawaii.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'public servant' was expanded to explicitly include federal judges, bankruptcy judges, election volunteers, and federal employees residing in the state, in addition to existing state officials.

ELIGIBILITY

The criteria for harassment charges were modified to clarify that the offense applies if the public servant is targeted 'because of' their status or 'while' performing duties, broadening the circumstances under which the law applies.

ENFORCEMENT

The text was added to cite specific Hawaii Revised Statute sections (707-715, 710-1072.5, 710-1010) that law enforcement can use to prosecute threats and harassment, aiming to reduce case downgrades.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 3000, to March 22, 2075.

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

Amendments

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Iwamoto, Matsumoto, Muraoka voting no (6) and none excused (0).

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none).

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 56-26) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 56-26).

upper

Apr 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Tarnas, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Apr 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Apr 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 3:50PM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 673).

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting no (2) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Apr 8, 2026

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, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Cochran.

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1468-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Reyes Oda; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to LAB, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 262) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 20, 2026

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, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors