SB 283 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 283 proposes increasing penalties for bribery offenses under specific circumstances, directly affecting individuals accused of bribery involving public officials or government actions. The bill would establish higher fines and longer prison sentences for bribery cases meeting defined conditions, such as when public funds or contracts are involved. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure, and remains pending committee review (deferred to February 12, 2025). The bill has not yet been enacted into law and is currently under consideration in the Judiciary Committee.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB283 → SB283_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the bribery statute to increase penalties for public officials and adjust the financial thresholds for felony classification. The changes aim to strengthen deterrence by raising the monetary value required for a Class A felony charge and clarifying eligibility for suspended sentences.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enhanced penalties to specifically include elected or appointed officials and modifies the financial thresholds for severe felony charges.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the monetary threshold for a bribery offense to be classified as a Class A felony from $20,000 to $50,000.

Added a specific requirement that the total value of multiple bribery acts must exceed $50,000 to trigger the highest penalty tier for repeat offenders.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that elected or appointed officials are subject to stricter sentencing rules, including the removal of eligibility for deferred guilty pleas or nolo contendere pleas.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's metadata, including the bill number, sponsor name, and effective date information.

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 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 18

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 20) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Inouye, Kidani, San Buenaventura . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 12, 2025

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, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Awa.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 9:30AM; 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