SB 262 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PROSPECTIVE JURORS.

Summary

Authorizes the Judiciary to determine the format of the juror qualification form and the means of its delivery and return. Authorizes the Judiciary to use more than one method of delivery and attempt to contact any one juror more than once. Removes the requirement that the form be mailed. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB262 → SB262_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the juror qualification process by allowing courts to use multiple contact methods and reach out to jurors more than once, removing the strict requirement to mail forms. It also significantly delays the law's effective date from July 2025 to April 2057. These changes aim to improve juror communication and participation while providing a long-term delay for implementation.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding juror contact methods was expanded to allow digital or repeated physical contact, but the effective date change drastically alters when these new rules apply.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the mandatory requirement that juror qualification forms be mailed; courts can now use other delivery methods.

Authorized courts to contact any single juror more than once and to use multiple methods of contact to ensure receipt of forms.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to April 23, 2057, creating a significant delay in implementation.

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. 116) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Inouye, San Buenaventura. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Chang). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 9:15AM; 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