SB 282 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO UNCREWED AIRCRAFT OFFENSES.

SB 282 increases penalties for using drones (uncrewed aircraft) to assist in committing a felony. It directly affects individuals who deploy drones to aid in felony offenses, such as theft or violence. The key provision treats drone use as an aggravating factor, making the criminal penalty stricter when a drone is used to further a felony. This changes sentencing by elevating the severity of offenses where drones are involved in felony planning or execution. The bill does not alter drone usage rules generally, only the penalties for felony-related drone misuse.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Feb 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 129) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to TCA, JDC.
upper
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced and passed First Reading.
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Pending Introduction.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ron Kouchi
Ron Kouchi
DDemocratic
HI
8